LA FLORIDIANA Haunted Pinellas, Part 1 by William Moriaty | |||||
THIS WEEK'S MOVIE REVIEW "Waiting" by Mike Smith | |||||
THE AUDIO PHILES Punk's Roots, Part 2 by Terence Nuzum | |||||
THE DROW Alchemy. In Theory and in Truth. by Dylan Jones | |||||
ODDSERVATIONS Goodbye Don Adams & Nipsy Russell....Let's Stick a Fork in Music Videos...."The Fog" is Coming....Terence on Punk....Mike's Challenge by Andy Lalino | |||||
CREATURE'S CORNER "The Corpse Bride"....The Green Lantern Corps Recharged....Axis and Allies by John Lewis | |||||
MIKE'S RANT Passing On....Super Hero News....The Top 10 List....Speaking of Science Fiction....Jaws: The Story, Part 36 by Mike Smith | |||||
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Goodbye Don Adams & Nipsy Russell Let's Stick a Fork in Music Videos "The Fog" is Coming Terence on Punk Mike's Challenge
We lost two important pop culture icons in the last week: Don Adams ("Maxwell Smart" from the '60s spy spoof "Get Smart") and game show host regular Nipsy Russell. Maxwell Smart became one of my favorite comedic icons from watching reruns of "Get Smart" as a kid. In 1980, he triumphantly returned as the famed character in "The Nude Bomb", at the time a well-heralded PG-rated classic.
I remember Nipsy Russell fondly for his appearances on various '70s game shows, namely "Match Game", "To Tell the Truth", and "What's My Line". He also played The Tin Man in "The Wiz" (1978).
Over the past...God; ten years or so, I've heard many a complaint about how MTV doesn't show music videos anymore. And why should they? Their network is firmly rooted in New Wave, and it has to ruffle their feathers to bow to current pop culture pressure by airing reality TV shows 24/7. So, if they've become a reality TV network and NOT a music video network, then why have them around at all? And if you don't have MTV, do we really need music videos anymore?
Once upon a time (the '80s), music videos were at least partially considered an art form, at times seeming like a short or student film set to music. Nowadays, it's a never ending parade of scantily-clad teenie-boppers and homie boys in your face. I wouldn't call that the ultimate in artistic expression. If the format has become that stale and lifeless, almost becoming background music for a high school Saturday night party at mom & dad's house, then I think it's one we don't need anymore and should be put to rest - permanently.
Just saw the trailer for the remake of JC's "The Fog", and I have to admit it looks pretty good. I confess I am not the world's biggest fan of the original, and like the recent remake of "The Amityville Horror", I think this one may wind up topping the first. It remains to be seen, however.
For all Terence's obvious attitude problems, I'll have to admit I've been enjoying his retrospective on early Punk Rock (Re: The Audio Philes, "Punk's Roots, Part 2" appears this issue --N). I found both installments to be gratifying and enlightening, and am looking forward to the London years, if that's the direction Terence plans on taking things. Don't forget "The Damned"!
I should mention that IFC aired a Punk Rock documentary last month entitled "Punk: Attitude" that was really a good watch. It was so cool seeing photos and footage of Chrissie Hynde hanging out with early punks in the late '70s, such as The Clash. Good interviews with The Slits, Mick Jones (God, he's looking so un-Punk!), David Johansen, etc.
Here are my picks (in order):
10. "Puttin' Out Fire (Cat People)" - David Bowie - from "Cat People" (1982)
9. "The Neverending Story" - Limahl - from "The Neverending Story"
8. "The Ground Beneath Her Feet" - U2 - "The Million Dollar Hotel"
7. "Martin" - Soft Cell - from George A. Romero's "Martin"
6. "Is Your Love Strong Enough" - Bryan Ferry - from "Legend"
5. "Weird Science" - Oingo Boingo - from "Weird Science"
4. "Out of My Mind" - Duran Duran - from "The Saint"
3. "The Great Beyond" - R.E.M. - from "Man on the Moon"
2. "The Crying Game" - Boy George/Pet Shop Boys - "The Crying Game"
1. "Don't You (Forget About Me)" - Simple Minds - from "The Breakfast Club"
"Oddservations" is ©2005 by Andy Lalino. The Oddservations banner is a creation of Andy Lalino. All other graphics are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2005 by Nolan B. Canova.