Letters to the Editor. Commentary. My View. # 14.

Letters to the Editor

Nolan's Newsstand

Commentary My View

Vol. 1, No. 14. This edition is for the week of June 26--July 2, 2000

Mike's Rant

Here is the latest:

Greetings to all from the hometown of Melissa Etheridge. I mention that because she was just in town for a concert. Other Leavenworth "notables" include the parents of actress Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters) and Richard Sanders, who was Les Nesman on "WKRP In Cincinnati." Also, note to Nolan.................there are NO words to the end title theme to the show. Just learned that from one of the show's writers on his web page. (Ummm. I beg to differ. It actually does begin with someone caterwalling some rockabilly blues thing---N)

About last week:

HOW IN THE HELL COULD I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO MENTION SCOTT A. GILBERT??

I deserve to be beaten for not mentioning Scott's recent email. As Nolan mentioned, it is almost like the burning bush talking to us when Scott writes. Scott holds a special place in my life. He introduced me to "Monty Python" and "Dr. Demento." I still have the drawing of my former wife he did for her when we were in Tampa. And yes, Scott was and still is a HAT. Not only would he grab the mike during some early jam sessions at Ben's house, but he did the best impression of John Belushi doing Joe Cocker that I've ever seen. (Kinda got a body image from that now, dontcha folks?---N) Most of all, it was Scott who took me in the night my house burned down. (Corey Castellano had that honor as well, on succeeding nights.---N) He took me to his place on the beach and kept me going that weekend. Needless to say, he helped me fight the major depression that had set in. I don't think I ever thanked him or his mom for looking out for me that weekend. Let me do it now.......................THANKS!

FUNNY HOW? LIKE I'M A CLOWN?

More on the AFI's 100 Funniest Films. FYI to Nolan: "Ghostbusters" made the list at #28. "Seven Year Itch" was #51 and "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" was #56. (Thanks for the research!---N) I pretty much agree with Matt's list of ten funniest. I was especially pleased that he also enjoyed "Arsenic and Old Lace." However, I would probably replace "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" with either "My Favorite Year" or "Slap Shot." "Home Alone" did not make the list. (Not terribly heartbreaking, tho.----N) Neither did "Groove Tube" or "Kentucky Fried Movie." (Oh, now that's just not right!---N)

Picked up the new special edition DVD of "KFM" the other day and showed it to my son. He, too, thought it was hilarious. Also, great cameo by Forrest J. Ackerman during the "court" sequence. And God help me, I couldn't help but think of our old friend, the late Tom Bowles, during the "Fistfull of Yen" movie. He was the spitting image of the evil Doctor Klahn! (We ribbed him about that at the time!---N) And yes, even with Arsenio Hall, "Amazon Women on the Moon" was very funny. (Glad you agree---N)

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

Talk about a bombshell. TV execs are still spinning from the naming of rant-guru Dennis Miller to the "Monday Night Football" broadcast. And thank goodness they didn't choose Rush Limbaugh, who was also in the running for a play-by-play job. Miller has this to say about Limbaugh in his latest book, "Limbaugh articulates the blindingly white anger of every short-sleeved Wal-Mart assistant manager who's outraged because a black kid called him by his first name." My thoughts exactly. (LOL! That guy slays me!---N)

I SWEAR, IT WASN'T ME!

Anyone remember Willie Aames? He was on the television show "Family," and was joined nose-to-asshole to Scott Baio on "Charles in Charge." Well, he also lives here in Kansas and this week he began his new career. Having discovered Christianity a few years ago, Aames is now making public appearances as "Bibleman!" (Oh, Christ! Wait...I mean......---N) He recently popped up, unannounced, near where I work. Try to imagine a cross between Batman and Ghost Rider, with a staff for emphasis. (Can't. My brain hurts when I try.---N) Not a staff of people around him, but a long stick. I didn't know if he was going to part the Red Sea or not. Apparently, all of the latex has dimmed his memory. (?---N) While meeting his "fans", I asked him if he ever gets to see his early film "Paradise" on cable. He just stared at me as if I was speaking in tongues. "I think you've confused me with somebody else," he said. (When he got "born again", I guess he pledged to disavow all that stuff.---N) Yeah,right. Even Raymond Babbit from "Rainman" couldn't forget appearing in a movie who's highpoint was a NUDE SHOWER UNDER A WATERFALL WITH PHOEBE CATES!! I guess the missus wouldn't appreciate it. Oh well....................I guess next time I'll ask him about ZAPPED!

Well, all for this week. Take care.

"Mike's Rant is � 2000 by Michael A. Smith

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