I think Message With a Bottle and I are driving up the view counts on this one. The YouTube poster must be like, “Who is suddenly interested in this 24-year-old Judd Hirsch sitcom?”
Also, it should be noted that the British intro is exactly the same, right down to British John taking the “room for let” sign out of the window. (The crone who runs the shanty both Johns move in to can’t be bothered to remove it.) Of course, Judd Hirsch’s reaction is less surprise and more one of soul-deadened acceptance of his Ziggy-like existence. “Oh, my wife left me? Is it a Tuesday?”
I’ve been looking for an excuse to write about the amazing Wendy’s training videos from the ’80s that surfaced a while back. Thanks to news about Wendy’s becoming the #2 burger chain, I got to do just that over on TheFW.com.
From acclaimed director Cameron Crowe (‘Vanilla Sky,’ ‘Elizabethtown’) comes a charming dramedy that will melt your heart and punch you in the face with cuteness. Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) was an ordinary man just trying to keep his family together. But after a random visit to his local indie record store, Mee comes back with more than a rare Bon Iver vinyl — he buys the bubbly, free-spirited clerk (Zooey Deschanel) behind the counter.
Pretty soon she’s entertaining the family with her many adorable voices that quickly turn grating and doing kooky things like staging a mock wedding for the salt and pepper shakers. This holiday season, see the movie that Pitchfork dubbed, “New Girl…Same Old Schtick” and the Cleveland Plain Dealer said, “feels like it takes ’500 Days of Summer’ to sit through.” Featuring a soundtrack by that band that Zooey Deschanel is in. You know, the one they play on NPR all the time. What’s it called? His & Hers?
This video has been going around, and it’s pretty great. I’m a big fan of saying “Come on. It’s the ’90s” in 2011. And support the viral video site I’m editing TheFW.com by liking us on Facebook.
I still want to know if Mos Def and the waitress ever went on a date. And did she ever get a better cell phone? Also, did her manager ever stop giving her grief over using milk and cream in the hot chocolate? These are the questions that keep me up at night. Its been 8 years, Alicia. Where’s the sequel??
If you’re in the New York City area, join me for a night of geekery at 92Y Tribeca for the latest installment in the popular live screening series “Kevin Geeks Out.” The theme is “rip-off cinema.” I’ll be showing a selection clips featuring foreign interpretations of your favorite superheroes. Other guests include Elliott Kalan of The Daily Show and The Flophouse podcast and blogger and author Geoff Klock.
More details below. You can purchase tickets here. And check out the nice write-up from GeekChicDaily. Hope to see you!
Kevin Geeks Out is the comedy-variety show hosted by writer-comedian Kevin Maher—a confabulation of vintage film clips and videos, new finds, guest experts, games and curiosities.
To geek out with Kevin you don’t need to be a geek, you just need to love cool stuff.
This month, Kevin Geeks Out about Rip-Off Cinema, chronicling the “knockbusters” that attempt to capture the magic of E.T., King Kong, War of the Worlds and other big-budget blockbusters. The two-hour cultural cavalcade includes trivia, snacks, prizes and guest speakers presenting rare film footage and TV clips you won’t find on YouTube or Netflix. Kevin is joined by some very special guests:
• Emmy Award-winning Daily Show writer Elliott Kalan looks back at his favorite E.T. rip-off. (It’s not Mac and Me!) • Writer M. Sweeney Lawless gives a brief history of films that aped King Kong. • Comic book blogger Nick Nadel presents a montage of superhero knock-offs from around the world. • Professor Geoff Klock illustrates the difference between a rip-off and an homage. • Filmmaker Matthew Glasson shares scenes from his favorite Jaws copycat (which was actually banned from the US for copyright infringement!) • Horror blogger Brian Solomon presents a study of Halloween rip-offs. • Artist-baker Sara Reiss serves up “knock-off” themed treats. • Plus trivia games and prizes that will include knock-off products.
If you’re in the New York City area, join me for a night of geekery at 92Y Tribeca for the latest installment in the popular live screening series 