Monday, 10 September 2007
Sunday, 9 September 2007
Fears Grow For Branson's Balloon Friend
Here's Armando Iannucci's column in today's Observer. Worth reading for the bit about Richard Branson alone. What the online version offers that the print version can't of course, is an enormous amount of bickering comments.
Who Really Wrote Shakespeare?
A number of actors including Sir Derek Jacobi are questioning who really wrote the works of William Shakespeare. Along with the Shakespeare Authorship Coallition, they are opening debate about the thoery that Shakespeare's works were written by a group.
Conspiracy theories have circulated since the 18th Century about a number of figures who could have used Shakespeare as a pen-name, including playwright Christopher Marlowe, nobleman Edward de Vere and Francis Bacon.
"I think the leading light was probably de Vere as I agree that an author writes about his own experience, his own life and personalities," Sir Derek said.
The declaration, unveiled at the Minerva Theatre in Chichester, West Sussex, also names 20 prominent doubters of the past, including Mark Twain, Orson Welles, Sir John Gielgud and Charlie Chaplin.
I love the thought that a group of intellectuals could have credited their combined works to a local everyman.
Conspiracy theories have circulated since the 18th Century about a number of figures who could have used Shakespeare as a pen-name, including playwright Christopher Marlowe, nobleman Edward de Vere and Francis Bacon.
"I think the leading light was probably de Vere as I agree that an author writes about his own experience, his own life and personalities," Sir Derek said.
The declaration, unveiled at the Minerva Theatre in Chichester, West Sussex, also names 20 prominent doubters of the past, including Mark Twain, Orson Welles, Sir John Gielgud and Charlie Chaplin.
I love the thought that a group of intellectuals could have credited their combined works to a local everyman.
Similarities
Without wanting to get into any discussion or speculation on the Madleine McCann case, I just thought it might be worth pointing out (though I'm probably not the first) that what's happened has a lot in common with the case of Azaria Chamberlain.
Friday, 7 September 2007
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Inside Frasier
Ken Levine has a good little inside story from Frasier up on his blog. Who would have thought regular John Cassevetes collaborator Ben Gazarra would be insane?
Football Wars
In 2004 Ioan Viorel Ganaea, while playing for Romania against Scotland, broke Celtic player John Kennedy's leg in a tackle.
Well now he's made the headlines for some first class bammery. Recently, while playing for FCU Politehnica Timişoara he attacked an assistant referee after he was sent off for violent conduct.
Have a look at the incident here.
Well now he's made the headlines for some first class bammery. Recently, while playing for FCU Politehnica Timişoara he attacked an assistant referee after he was sent off for violent conduct.
Have a look at the incident here.
Stranger than Fiction
This is quite the odd story from The Guardian.
Polish author Krystian Bala was sentenced to 25 years in pokey for the murder of a man who was sleeping with his ex-wife. What makes it remarkable is that he wrote the story of the killing and published it in his bestselling novel 'Amok'.
The police had no clues until an anonymous tip-off suggested they read the book.
Polish author Krystian Bala was sentenced to 25 years in pokey for the murder of a man who was sleeping with his ex-wife. What makes it remarkable is that he wrote the story of the killing and published it in his bestselling novel 'Amok'.
The police had no clues until an anonymous tip-off suggested they read the book.
Wednesday, 5 September 2007
The Sitcom is Not Dead
Ken Levine says that 'the sitcom is not dead.'
"There is no other genre of television programming that is a bigger cash cow in success. Warner Brothers will make more off of FRIENDS than their big summer blockbusters combined. How much moolah do you think 20th Century Fox has raked in from MASH? It has been paying off jackpots for over thirty years with no signs of stopping or even slowing down. Compare that to AMERICAN IDOL…."
"There is no other genre of television programming that is a bigger cash cow in success. Warner Brothers will make more off of FRIENDS than their big summer blockbusters combined. How much moolah do you think 20th Century Fox has raked in from MASH? It has been paying off jackpots for over thirty years with no signs of stopping or even slowing down. Compare that to AMERICAN IDOL…."
The Squirming Effect
Larry David talks about the forthcoming sixth season of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
'He goes after "sample abusers" at ice cream stores and disputes the "law of dry cleaners" — which dictates that you inevitably lose some clothes, but you win some that aren't yours — when it comes to a beloved Yankees jersey.'
'He goes after "sample abusers" at ice cream stores and disputes the "law of dry cleaners" — which dictates that you inevitably lose some clothes, but you win some that aren't yours — when it comes to a beloved Yankees jersey.'
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Glue in Edinburgh
We're back doing You Owe Me Glue very soon. We're doing a short spot at the Ramshorn Theatre on Friday the 21st of September then we've got our own show at The Stand in Edinburgh on Tuesday the 16th of October.
There will be a good bit of new stuff in the October show, though no doubt rushed rehearsals. No idea how much it'll cost cos the whole thing's a wee bit hurried. But why not come along and see us if you're in Edinburgh? We'll be funny. We promise.
There will be a good bit of new stuff in the October show, though no doubt rushed rehearsals. No idea how much it'll cost cos the whole thing's a wee bit hurried. But why not come along and see us if you're in Edinburgh? We'll be funny. We promise.
Cinema Commentary
Audio commentary for films is now pretty much standard on most good DVDs. Screenwriter John August is taking it one stage further. For his latest film 'The Nines' he has recorded a commentary that you can now download, stick it on your mp3 player and play it while you watch the film in the cinema.
It's not a bad idea. Everyone has an mp3 player these days and with cinema loyalty cards, for a lot of people it won't cost any more money to go see the film a second time in the cinema. I think I would give it a go once, to see if it worked.
It's not a bad idea. Everyone has an mp3 player these days and with cinema loyalty cards, for a lot of people it won't cost any more money to go see the film a second time in the cinema. I think I would give it a go once, to see if it worked.
Writers Getting Superbad
Here's an interview with Knocked Up star Seth Rogan and his writing partner Evan Goldberg, talking about the upcoming 'best fucking movie ever' Superbad.
Evan Goldberg: Growing up we were both influenced primarily by Calvin and Hobbs.
Seth Rogen: Yeah, that was probably the first funny thing I ever read when I was like eight.
Evan Goldberg: It was just the in-your-face sarcasm. I'd never experienced anything like that.
Seth Rogen: I went back and read it recently, and it's like he's the most cynical kid in the entire universe. Rereading it again I realized, “Wow, this is where I drew my entire sense of humor.” And then The Simpsons was as influential as anything could get humor-wise. It's been around almost our entire lives.
Evan Goldberg: Growing up we were both influenced primarily by Calvin and Hobbs.
Seth Rogen: Yeah, that was probably the first funny thing I ever read when I was like eight.
Evan Goldberg: It was just the in-your-face sarcasm. I'd never experienced anything like that.
Seth Rogen: I went back and read it recently, and it's like he's the most cynical kid in the entire universe. Rereading it again I realized, “Wow, this is where I drew my entire sense of humor.” And then The Simpsons was as influential as anything could get humor-wise. It's been around almost our entire lives.
Late Summer Movies
I've been to the cinema a couple of times in the last week. While I'm still an unemployed bum I should spend a bit more time in the cinema than I do.
Anyway first of all I saw Knocked Up (****) it's a really solid comedy. Much as you would expect from Judd Apatow, one of the smartest guys in American comedy. It has plenty of laughs, has characters that you can root for and a strong screenplay that has all the right ups and downs. It's a film that I couldn't stop thinking about even a day or two later. It may well be, as some of the reviews state, the summer's best comedy.
The other film I saw was Breach (****). Chris Cooper plays the real life disgraced FBI man Robert Hanssen. That link tells you all about his crimes, but the film starts off by revealing what happens to him, so therre's no shock ending.
Breach is directed by Billy Ray, who also made Shattered Glass, another story of a man living a lie, who was ultimately brought down. This plays out in a similar fashion. It's a strong, absorbing thriller with excellent performances from Cooper, and Ryan Phillippe as the agent sent to bring him down.
Anyway first of all I saw Knocked Up (****) it's a really solid comedy. Much as you would expect from Judd Apatow, one of the smartest guys in American comedy. It has plenty of laughs, has characters that you can root for and a strong screenplay that has all the right ups and downs. It's a film that I couldn't stop thinking about even a day or two later. It may well be, as some of the reviews state, the summer's best comedy.
The other film I saw was Breach (****). Chris Cooper plays the real life disgraced FBI man Robert Hanssen. That link tells you all about his crimes, but the film starts off by revealing what happens to him, so therre's no shock ending.
Breach is directed by Billy Ray, who also made Shattered Glass, another story of a man living a lie, who was ultimately brought down. This plays out in a similar fashion. It's a strong, absorbing thriller with excellent performances from Cooper, and Ryan Phillippe as the agent sent to bring him down.
Patton Oswalt Roasts Flavor Flav
Again NSFW. Patton Oswalt roasts Flavor Flav, but it's Brigette Neilsen that gets the worst of it.
Monday, 3 September 2007
Greg Girlado Roasts Flavor Flav
This is NSFW. Greg Giraldo roasts Flavor Flav. But first he roasts Ice-T, Brigette Neilsen and everyone else on the stage.
Saturday, 1 September 2007
Black Cape #20
A great job from Iain here on this minor milestone edition of BC.
Find all our Black Cape adventures here
Find all our Black Cape adventures here
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