My Final Blog For A While!!!
Hi Gang! After writing this blog for more than six years, I'm going to have to walk away from my "Blog Room" for at least 20-weeks because of a new project I'm going to be involved with.
To those of you who have been with us since day one, I thank you for your interest and I've enjoyed the back and forth dialogue I've had with many of you. Slowly but surely, a lot of people from different states and countries have found this blog and your thoughts and or comments are things I have looked forward to week after week after week.
When I was on television, I had opinions. When I was on radio, I had opinions. And yes, you've read a lot of opinions here. But what's been fun for me was reading and or listening to YOUR opinions. Yes, I listened and spoke with many of you by phone.
Because of a new adventure, I will have to devote my time (exclusively) TO this new adventure.
But today is a blog day soooo...Here come the headlines:
ANNETTE FUNICELLO!!! GUNS!!! GAYS!!! JAY & JIMMY!!! "42"!!! ANNNND...OTHER ENTERTAINMENT STUFF!!!
HEADLINE #1:
In case you haven't heard, at the age of 70, Annette Funicello has passed away. And with that passing, a chunk of my childhood has also died. When she showed up on "The Mickey Mouse Club", I couldn't get home fast enough so I could watch her on television. Like many other guys my age, I was in love with her. When she showed up on the big screen, I was one of the first in line. Her future appeared to be priceless. But as luck would have it, her luck turned bad when she got hit by the terrible disease that is known as Muscular Sclerosis (MS). She fought it, but sadly, one can't help but assume that those years of suffering were years that could have made many people bitter. If she was, she "covered" it well.
Annette, I didn't know you, but I loved you then and love you now. R.I.P. pretty lady and thanks for the pleasure you provided while I was growing up.
HEADLINE #2:
Guns are still being talked about. A lot of people seem to think we are in danger of law enforcement people coming to our homes with the purpose of taking our guns away from us.
I don't know how this kind of nonsense gets started, but folks you're going to worry yourself into death if you continue to think like this. YO!!! And read my lips! Something like this AIN'T gonna happen!!! Look, I can complain with the best of you, but THIS is CRAZY!!!
HEADLINE #3:
Gays! Specifically, Gay Marriage.
The Supreme Court hasn't made a ruling on this yet, so seeing as how a decision will be announced before this blog resumes in September or October, here's my "2-cents" worth as of now.
When I was a lot younger, I believed that gays who were then called "homos" were God's aberration and we'd be better off if they all died.
Buuut....When I got older, I LEARNED a couple of things.
(1) If we believe in God, we DON'T believe that God makes a mistake when a gay person is born.
(2) I also learned that there are "straight" people who are bad and there are "gay" people who are bad. In other words, no difference except for the gender they're attracted to. It's been my (older) experience that gay folks pretty much want what us straight folks want. A place to live, a good job and someone to love.
If it's Roy who falls in love with Bob or it's Sally who falls in love with Mary, why the hell should we care about this.
I think by now we know that a marriage of a man and a woman is no guarantee that those two people will be together for life. All the research that's been done about children living in a home with Roy and Bob or Sally and Mary shows us there's no difference between those homes and homes in which children are living with Roy and Barbara or Sam and Juliet.
In conclusion I understand that the gay community would like to be allowed to legally marry the person they're in love with. Some of this has to do with legal benefits when one of the partners dies, etc.
If the Supreme Court rules against marriage for gays, I sincerely hope that the Supreme Court will make a ruling having to do with "civil unions" or SOMETHING (no matter what it's called) being allowed that would take care of the "benefits" issue.
HEADLINE #4:
Jay and Jimmy! In case you hadn't heard, The "Tonight Show" will have a new host next year. Jay Leno will be replaced by Jimmy Fallon. Will Jay retire or go to another network? Stay tuned.
HEADLINE #5:
"42" That is the title of a new film that will be in your favorite multiplex this coming Friday. It's the Jackie Robinson story and it has gotten terrific reviews.
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT STUFF:
This will be brief...
NBC's "Smash" has been moved to Saturday night. I thought Saturday's show was terrific.
So MANY good television shows!!! And we can't see 'em all!!!
"Bates Motel", Monday nights on A&E has been renewed for a second season. Good decision. I think it's a very good show.
"The Following" will be on Fox tonight. It stars Kevin Bacon and an outstanding supporting cast, it's been renewed for next season and there are only 5 more episodes this season. I LOVE this show.
Meanwhile, "The Good Wife" on CBS, "Revenge", "Red Widow" "Nashville" and "Scandal" continue to entertain us on ABC.
And yes, it's the NCIS shows on CBS that get the most viewers.
AMERICAN IDOL....I think this show is getting it's groove back. One big mistake is being made by the voting public. They are continuing to give enough votes to a singer who has no business being ON this show. I think they're doing it because they feel sorry for the singer who's name is Lazaro Arbos. Count your lucky stars, Lazaro.
Big college basketball game tonight. Louisville against Michigan for the championship. Louisville is favored, but I won't be surprised if Michigan wins.
THOUGHTS AND OR COMMENTS? Please write to me at scottstjames@sbcglobal.net and I will respond to you ASAP. Don't write to the blog because there's no way for me to know your email address which means I won't be able to respond to you. I respond to everyone ASAP unless you identify yourself as "Anonymous". Those emails are ignored.
THE NEXT BLOG: Not until sometime in September or October. I'm going to miss you! ALL of you!
Meanwhile, I hope that you have a great rest of the week and remember... AMERICA FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY EASTER!!!
Hi Gang!
No blog this week because of the Easter holiday and other obligations.
The next new blog (barring unforeseen circumstances) will be written and published Thursday, April 4 or Friday, April 5.
Needless to say, if the Supreme Court has made a ruling on Gay Marriage, I will have a comment or two about that subject.
Meanwhile, I hope that all of you have a very HAPPY EASTER!!!
Most sincerely,
Scott "The Jammer with the Hammer" St. James
10th Iraq War Anniversary!!! GOP Says It's Time For An Overhaul...Michele and Sarah Still Think They're Relevant!!! Ronald Reagan and Me!!! Dumb Baseball People!!! Annnnd...Entertainment Stuff!!!
It is now Saturday night and yes, I'm late! My sincere apologies, but because of several things going on in my life, I might have to soon go on a "Blog Hiatus" for a few weeks. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, but for now, Let's get busy with the 6 headlines you see at the top of this blog!
Headline #1: A few days ago we were reminded of the Iraq war disaster we got involved with/in 10-years ago. What a load of horse manure we were fed on that deal! War mongering clowns who put us into this mess. Most of these war mongering clowns are people who made damn sure THEY didn't have to go to war themselves. Gang, the Iraq debacle accomplished nothing positive for America. What WAS accomplished was a lot of Americans getting killed and or severely injured. What also was accomplished was the tremendous amount of money we spent, money that helped us to be in the horrible economic mess we've been in and are still in. Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!
Headline #2: If you've read any newspaper, magazine or the internet recently, you couldn't help but see what in essence were these words; The Republican Party is smug. Uncaring. Rigid. An immovable collection of "stuffy old men."
What you just read was the opinion from the Republican Party itself. They have come to this conclusion after reading an analysis commissioned by the Republican National Committee that was released this past Monday.
Oh, you didn't hear about this from Rush or Sean, etc.?
Stay tuned.
Headline #3: The Conservative Political Action Conference was held this past week. Among the speakers were Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann. Michele, Michele, Michele....You will say something truthful....um....when? Sarah, you were funny, but....Here's the deal, gang. Both of these characters think they're relevant. Someone needs to wake them up.
Headline #4: Ronald Reagan and me! I had the pleasure of getting to know President Reagan (a little) before he was elected. He was kind enough to participate in a Gene Autry special I did. Great guy and I'll never forget something he said; "I didn't leave the Democrat party. They left ME!" Did you know Reagan was a Democrat? If anyone cared enough to have me on a public stage to declare my political leanings, what you'd hear or read would be; "I didn't leave the Republican party. They left ME!" Until the second half of the Bush (Jr.) administration, I was a lifetime Republican. I am now an Independent.
Headline #5: Dumb baseball people! I'm a long time baseball fan who (15 or so years ago) came to conclusion there are more dumb people in professional baseball than all the other professional teams combined. The latest example is this World Baseball Classic that was being played while major league players here were having their spring training stuff to do. Allowing major league players to play in a tournament instead of doing the chemistry thing with teammates on the major league teams that pay them big money is to me as dumb as it gets. Here in Los Angeles, we have been told that the shortstop for the Dodgers will miss at LEAST 8-weeks of regular season play because of a thumb injury in the tournament. Dumb, dumb dumb!!!
ENTERTAINMENT STUFF: Speaking of sports...Are you caught up in this "March Madness" business? The ratings have been great so far and so have most of the games.
I saw one new movie this past week. "The Call" which stars Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin and a fine group of supporting players. This is a high octane thriller that some would call a "horror film". I sat in a packed auditorium and all of us were on the edge(s) of our seats. If you like thrill rides, I highly recommend "The Call".
TV stuff....Great episodes this past Sunday of "The Good Wife"on CBS and ABC's "Revenge" and "Red Widow".
Monday, another terrific episode of "The Following" on Fox, "Bates Motel" on A&E and "Dallas" on TNT.
We're hearing a lot of stuff about Jay Leno and NBC. Leno has the highest late night ratings, but the show isn't promoted properly. Same deal with NBC's "Smash". Instead of firing the actors, hosts and shows, I think the NBC owners should fire ALL of their decision making people.
Thursday night on Fox, I enjoyed "Glee" which I hadn't watched in a while and I continue to LOVE ABC's "Scandal".
For the second straight week, I liked "American Idol" on Fox this past Wednesday and Thursday. I think the changes they've made and continue to make are (so far) the RIGHT changes. Nicki Minaj is the judge they've been looking for ever since Simon Cowell left the building. Now there's a performer they need to get rid of. A performer who is being coddled by the voters because they feel sorry for him.
Back to "Glee" for a minute. The character "Santana" is still with the show and I'm hard pressed to think of any female actor who is as hot-hot-hot as Naya Rivera (her real name) is. She's also a terrific actor.
THOUGHTS AND OR COMMENTS? Please write to me at scottstjames@sbcglobal.net and I will respond to you ASAP. Don't write to the blog because there's no way for me to know your email address which means I wouldn't be able to respond to you. I respond to everyone unless you identify yourself as "Anonymous". Those emails are ignored.
THE NEXT BLOG? The way things have been going recently, hard to say, huh? Hopefully, next Thursday, March 28 or Friday, March 29.
Meanwhile, I hope that all of you have a great rest of the weekend and a great (upcoming) week.
Don't forget....AMERICA FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A 76-Year Old New Pope!!! Ohio Republican Senator Changes His Mind When He Learns Something New About His Son!!! After 10 Straight Days Of Great News For Investors, The Dow Went Down A Little Today!!! Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan Is About To Go On Trial... It's Time To Drop The Hammer On American Soldiers Who Sexually Assault American Soldiers!!!
Hi Gang! Under the category of "Best laid plans, etc.", I wanted to write this blog early this morning but because of a computer problem... I know. Everyone has computer problems. Do you miss your typewriters?
Okay...Right now it's very late in the afternoon and I hope to have this published by sometime this evening which means you subscribers won't get this until very early tomorrow morning.
I think this blog won't be a long blog, sooooo....
Let's get busy!!!
HEADLINE #1: If you care, you know a new Pope has been elected. Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina is the new Pope. A new 76-year old Pope who will be referred to as, "Pope Francis". I don't know about you, but it seems to me that 76 isn't an age that suggests longevity in a new job, but what the heck do I know. I wish you much success Pope Francis.
HEADLINE #2: Did you hear about the Ohio Republican Senator who has been big time against gay marriages? I mean BIG time against it. Senator Rob Portman surprised all of his constituents when he announced (very recently) that he has changed his mind and now supports gay marriages. Why? Senator Portman's son told him (in essence) "Dad, I'm gay."
HEADLINE #3: It was a great 10-days in a row for the Dow Jones Industrial folks, a 10-day streak that ended today. Hopefully, another (at least) 10-day good news streak will begin soon.
HEADLINE #4: Do you remember that Army Major who opened fire on a lot of soldiers in Ft. Hood, Texas? 13 were killed and 32 were wounded. Major Nidal Malik Hasan is about to go on trial. He has managed to delay this trial with arguments that included a beard he chooses to wear even though it's against Army rules. I have been watching this case since day one because I was in the military. I know that we're supposed to go along with the "your innocent until proven guilty in court", but to me, because everyone who was there SAW what happened, I honestly believe we could have saved a lot of time and money if we had put him into the hands of a psychiatrist immediately. If the "head" doctor or doctors determined that he was/is insane, put him in a heavily guarded insane ward and keep him there. Like forever. If the "head" doctor or doctors determined he's SANE, march him to a firing squad or a rope immediately. Think about it. Everyone knows he killed those people. And look how much money we could save.
HEADLINE #5: Have you been reading about all these sexual assault victims who are soldiers? Soldiers who have been sexually assaulted by other soldiers? Mostly a case of men soldiers assaulting women soldiers. What seems to have happened in the past when a female soldier would complain about this to a high ranking officer, next to nothing was done and the complaining female soldier would be (in essence) classified as a "trouble making soldier" and her chances of promotions were not good at all.
FINALLY....Some serious hearings are being held and hopefully some guilty soldiers will have a "legal hammer" dropped on them. If that happens, some of these women soldiers will finally get some justice.
Okay....That takes care of the serious stuff. Now it's time for the
ENTERTAINMENT STUFF:
I didn't see any new films this past week, so we'll (just) have a few television items.
The hands down new television show that has been a big hit is "The Following", starring Kevin Bacon. It is shown Monday nights on FOX. I love this show and I thought this past Monday's show was their best show. I think they have 8 more episodes and yes, the show has been renewed for next season.
Another new show that I like is a show that's struggling. "Red Widow" is shown on ABC, Sunday nights. It's stars Radha Mitchell. Only 3 or 4 episodes have been shown so far, but this show is worth checking out, folks. I'm familiar with Ms. Mitchell's work and the character she plays in THIS show is a character that most women actors don't GET to play! In addition to the good work done by Mitchell, some outstanding work is done by a fine group of supporting players.
"Smash", on NBC seems to be in big trouble. It's about to be moved to Saturday nights and I'm worried because I like the show. A lot!
Did you see Monday night's "Dallas" episode on TNT? It was all about the death of "J.R. Ewing" who in real life was Larry Hagman. I thought the producers did a terrific job with this and now we fans of the show will be getting clues about who shot J.R. right up until the final episode this season when we are told that we will know who shot J.R. Sadly, it won't be like the last time "Dallas" had a campaign like that because this time, J.R. really IS dead. R.I.P. Mr. Hagman.
Another great episode of "The Good Wife" on CBS this past Sunday. God, that show is good! Same deal with Sunday's episode of "Revenge" on ABC.
And then there's "American Idol". The show was back in Hollywood this past Wednesday and Thursday and to me, the show seems like they might have gotten their groove back. They've made some interesting changes but the most important change they seem to have made is the hiring of Nicki Minaj as a judge. I like her more than I liked Simon. Hopefully (for the show) it will continue to look (a new) good for the remaining 9 episodes.
THOUGHTS AND OR COMMENTS? Please write to me at scottstjames@sbcglobal.net and I will respond to you ASAP. Don't write to the blog because there's no way for me to know your email address which means I won't be able to respond to you. I respond to everyone unless you have identified yourself as "Anonymous". Those emails are ignored.
THE NEXT BLOG? I keep WANTING to write on Thursdays. If so, next Thursday night, March 21 or very early Friday morning, March 22.
A couple of things to remember...This Sunday is St. Patrick's Day. Next Wednesday is the first day of Spring.
I hope all of you have a very pleasant weekend and if you agree, "AMERICA FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
What My Mother Meant To Me!!! Unemployment Rate Now Lowest In More Than Four Years!!! The Stock Market People Have Gotten All Of Their Losses (and then some) BACK!!! Will Tina Fey Be The New "Tonight Show" Host When Jay Leno Leaves? ANNND...Are We About To Have A SECOND "Who Shot J.R."?!?
Hi Gang! Once again I'm writing the new blog a day later than usual. Earlier this week, I drove many miles to be with my sister and and other relatives. We spent a lot of time talking about the recent "passing" of my mother. The combination of a lot of driving and developing a personal understanding that I will never see her again are things that caused me to become exhausted.
Sooo...Now that I feel like I can do this, I'm going to write a couple of things that won't be over the top "long" or in any way being "woe is me" stuff.
Briefly, my mother always "had my back". She bent over backwards to see to it that I got everything I needed when it became apparent that I was going to take a crack at being a radio announcer of some kind. She paid for a school I attended, bailed me out of a couple of "jams" along the way, paid for other stuff I needed, etc., etc. When I did television sports for a decade, took a shot at acting (which I'm still doing) and then did more radio for a bunch of years, she was my biggest cheer leader.
Gang, If I chose to do so, I could write many pages about the support I got from my mother, but what you see above, in short form, speaks volumes.
R.I.P. Mother Beatrice!
OTHER STUFF:
Before the unemployment and stock market news was announced a couple of days ago, I was prepared to do a big time "rip job" on the lack of progress while President Obama has BEEN our president.
Have you heard about this news? Our unemployment rate (7.7%) is the lowest it's been in more than four years. We still need it to be lower, but this is great news.
And how about that stock market news? All that money they lost? They've gotten it all back and "then some". Also great news, buuut....we need this kind of direction to not be something that's "temporary". We need this direction to CONTINUE!!!
Folks, short blog this week because I'm now going to.....
ENTERTAINMENT STUFF:
Will Tina Fey be the new "Tonight Show" host when Jay Leno leaves? I ask this because there's a lot of talk about Leno leaving sometime next year and he would be replaced by Jimmy Fallon. But now we're hearing that Tina Fey might "come into play". Wow! Tina Fey? Very talented lady. I think she'd do a hell of a good job. Jimmy Fallon? Very talented man. I think he'd do a hell of a good job.
Stay tuned, folks!
I'm sure that most of you know that Larry Hagman died a few weeks ago but that he'd been part of many shows on the new "Dallas" which is on TNT Monday nights. At the end of last week's show, we hear J.R. talking to his son on the phone. Then we hear gun shots. Then the show ended. When the next episode of "Dallas" is shown on TNT NEXT Monday, will we (long time ago) Dallas fans be going through a "Who Shot J.R." part 2 for a few weeks?!?
Ahhh...Showbiz!!
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT STUFF...
For whatever reason, that great NBC show, "Parenthood" which has been on for four years is a show that hasn't (yet) been told there will be a season five or that they're "done".
Ahhh, showbiz!!
The ratings for "American Idol" are continuing to sink, but they still have numbers that most every other show would love to have. I've been a big fan of this show since day one. In my view, there is something wrong with this year's show. One of the things is the lack of big time talent among the men who have been chosen. It's obvious the "Idol" bosses are trying to do some things differently, but so far, it ain't working.
Some people will say the problem is that people have gotten tired of ALL these music shows. In other words, the public is bored.
And that ain't just the music shows, gang. Ratings show that the public is turning away in droves from sports talk radio and political shows that are one-sided. Why? They're (the public) BORED!!!
Yo radio and television boss men and women!!! Are you noticing this or are you ignoring this? If you're ignoring it, good luck at the unemployment line(s).
Here are some TV shows that are doing just fine, thank you. "The Good Wife", "Nashville", "Revenge" and the new Kevin Bacon show, "The Following", a show that's been renewed for next season.
THOUGHTS AND OR COMMENTS? Please write to me at scottstjames@sbcglobal.net and I will respond to you ASAP. Don't write to the blog because there's no way for me to know your email address which means I won't be able to respond to you. I respond to all emails unless you identify yourself as "Anonymous". Those emails are ignored.
THE NEXT BLOG? I'm hoping it will be next Thursday night, March 14 or very early Friday morning, March 15.
Meanwhile, I hope that all of you have a very pleasant weekend and I hope you're with us when I say, AMERICA FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A BIG "Thank you!" from ME!!! Sequester??? Bob Woodward!!! Johnny Mathis!!! Oscar Stuff!!! Annnnd...Other Entertainment Stuff!!!
Hi Gang! First of all, a big THANK YOU from ME! I lost track of how many of you were kind enough to send sympathy messages because my mother died last week, but your messages were much appreciated and as you know, I sent all of you "Thank You!" notes. My sister and I have a few things to do and that means this will probably be a pretty short blog.
Soooo...Let's get BUSY!!!
(1) THE SEQUESTER: Most of us have no idea what this is and how we will be affected by it. Supposedly, whatever it is will be "put into play" sometime tonight. One side of the political aisle says this will have little effect on all of us while the other side of the political aisle is screaming about "gloom and doom". I guess we'll all learn what this really is the way we usually learn things if they're not pleasant; The HARD way! In other words, "stay tuned".
(2) BOB WOODWARD: I'm sure that most of you have heard of this guy. He and another Washington Post reporter were in the middle of the "Watergate" mess when Richard Nixon was our president. That was a long time ago and Woodward has been using the "Watergate Card" to come across as someone who's important. He recently got into some kind email skirmish with a White House guy and that led him to find someone who would be sympathetic. A sympathetic TV guy who's television ratings are getting lower and lower. Hel-lo, Sean Hannity! I don't know which of these guys is the most pathetic. Woodward because he wants to be recognized as being "important" again or Hannity because he's hoping a guest like Woodward will give Hannity a shot at his ratings going up. So what did Hannity do WHEN Woodward showed up? He brought up "old news topics" that mean nothing to anyone except Hannity. Topics he's been crying about since the day Candidate Obama became a candidate for his first term. In other words, more than five years ago. Yo, Sean! Are you a 1-trick pony? If so, you now know why your ratings are in the toilet.
And Mr. Woodward? A lot of speculation about how some of things you took credit for in that Watergate business are things that don't seem to be true. Hmmmmm.....
(3) JOHNNY MATHIS: And this is where I say, "On a lighter note..." I have mentioned in the past that I am a proud member of the PACIFIC PIONEER BROADCASTERS. I'm also on the Board of Directors. PPB President Chuck Street presides over a special lunch that we have in Studio City, California every couple of months or so. I have attended a lot of these lunches. THIS lunch ended up being (in my view) the BEST lunch we've ever had.
This was a lunch that honored the great singer, Johnny Mathis. Our PPB members who played a lot of Johnny's songs when they were radio announcers were at the lunch and they said nice things about Johnny. Those three former announcers were/are former PPB President Chuck Southcott, former big time game show guy Wink Martindale and arguably (when he was on the air) the best broadcaster in the business, Gary Owens.
Three "big names" who are friends of Johnny Mathis drove and or flew long distances to pay tribute to Johnny. Those three people were the great singer Dionne Warwick, the great golfer Amy Alcott and the great Hall of Fame basketball player, Bill Russell. All three of those people told terrific stories about their friend Johnny Mathis and I, along with everyone else who were mesmerized by these stories were constantly clapping and doing a lot of smiling. After Johnny Mathis spoke and the lunch had ended, I walked to where PPB President Chuck Street was and I told him I thought this was the best lunch we had ever had. And there were people standing next to me who were in total agreement. I'm inclined to think that everyone who was there agreed with us.
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT STUFF:
First, some personal Oscar observations.
If you read what a lot of critics wrote, you know that Sunday's Oscar host, Seth MacFarlane took a lot of "hits" from these critics. But when the ratings were revealed, we learned that if the Oscar folks wanted more viewers and especially younger viewers, MacFarlane delivered. He says he won't host the show again and now a lot of people are letting it be known they'd like to have Tina Fey and Amy Poehler be next year's hosts. So far, their response has been, "NO!!!"
OTHER OSCAR STUFF:
I was very surprised when Ang Lee won the Oscar for "Best Director". And I thought giving the Supporting Oscar to Christoph Waltz, a guy who was a "lead actor" in that Tarantino film he did was very unfair. I mean the guy had ten times the dialogue that ANY of the REAL supporting actors had who were nominated.
I was VERY happy that Jennifer Lawrence won the Oscar she was nominated for. And did you hear about Jack Nicholson "hitting on her" after the show had ended? There was film of that and it was delightful.
ONE TV OBSERVATION:
Have you been watching the ABC show, "Nashville"? If not, you're missing out on a great treat. I am now convinced that "Nashville" has (from A to Z) the hands down BEST CAST!!!
I like a lot of the other shows that are out there, but I don't think any of them have the wall to wall cast the likes of what "Nashville" gives us.
THOUGHTS AND OR COMMENTS? Please write to me at scottstjames@sbcglobal.net and I will respond to you ASAP. Don't write to the blog because there's no way for me to know your email address which means I won't be able to respond to you. I respond to everyone unless you identify yourself as "Anonymous". Those emails are ignored.
THE NEXT BLOG? Well, the way things have been going, I'm tempted to say next Friday, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to write it next Thursday evening, March 7 or very early Friday morning, March 8.
Meanwhile, I hope that all of you have a very pleasant weekend, thanks from the bottom of my heart to all of you who sent very nice notes about the loss of my mother and don't forget.....
AMERICA FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We COME, we DO, we GO!!!!!
Hi Gang! First of all, thanks for your responses to the Social Security rant that was in last week's blog.
I call your attention to the headline you can see above.
That phrase is a phrase that is used often by Claude Hall. Anybody in radio who was lucky enough to have become a "SOMEBODY" in radio knows who Claude Hall is. He's the Godfather of all columns written about radio. I first heard about him in the late 60's when he was writing a radio column for Billboard Magazine. Since then, he's written a number of books and his weekly radio column can be read in Jack Roberts' fine "Hollywood Hills" column, a column that Jack writes 7-days a week. If you would like to read Jack's column (I read it everyday), here's what you click on to; www.hollywoodhillsgroup.com
And by the way, MY column is also printed by Jack Roberts.
Back to Claude Hall's "We Come, we DO, we GO" phrase and why I'M using it in this blog.
I was affected by three deaths this week and the week isn't over yet. I've written about the fact that the idea for this blog was presented to me by Kevin Gershan, a guy I've known for more than 30-years. I met him when he was radio hall famer Robert W. Morgan's producer at Gene Autry's KMPC. Kevin also began working at "Entertainment Tonight" the first day that show went on the air, he's still there and he long ago worked himself up to the positions of being a director and producer. Yesterday, Kevin's long time mentor, Milt Hoffman passed away. Kevin wrote a terrific tribute about Hoffman and you can read it in Jack Roberts' column.
I hurt for my friend Kevin. Three days earlier, Jerry Buss, a guy I knew for 33+years died. He was the very, very successful owner of the L.A. Lakers basketball team. I could easily write a hundred pages about Jerry, but I'm going to keep this relatively brief. I arrived in Los Angeles from St. Louis in the latter part of '79 which was about the time that Buss bought the Lakers. His birthday was January 27 and on that date in 1980, he came on my radio show (by phone) and the first thing he heard was me singing happy birthday to him. Looking back, I think he probably thought that was "different enough" for him to be interested in knowing a little more about me. During the Showtime years (the 80's), I saw a lot of Jerry Buss. Mostly in upper level nightclubs (when the Lakers weren't playing or the game had ended) and while having a few drinks and laughing a lot, we both had our eyes on women in those establishments. I never saw him "look down" on anyone. I had the pleasure of being at his home, having dinner at the Forum when the Lakers were playing there and sitting in his private box that had room for lots of "playahs". God, those were good and fun times. Along the way, I stopped being a radio and television sports guy here because I had gotten the "acting bug". And I also got the "writing bug". I seldom saw him when those things happened, the last time I saw him was ten or so years ago when he invited me to attend a boxing match with him. I couldn't go, we departed while both of us were smiling and.....All these years later....I get the message that Jerry had died. That was this past Monday. Jerry Buss? Dead? Impossible! Why? Because he was living the "impossible dream"! A Jerry Jerry Buss CAN'T die! Like many of you, I watched the tribute to Jerry Buss that took place yesterday and it was televised. What a tribute! And everything that was said, was true.
R.I.P., Jerry. You were an "original"!!!
Just when the Jerry Buss tribute was about to end, my phone rang. It was my sister. She was calling to tell me our mother had just died.
This was not one of those "shock-shock" messages. I knew that she was fading, but..... Jerry Buss, you would have liked my mother. And vice versa. And right now I find myself remembering a song; "Only the Good die Young". Is that fair? No it isn't.
R.I.P. Milt Hoffman, Jerry Buss and my mother.
"We come! We DO! We GO!".
Truer words were never spoken, Claude Hall. But I, for one, am tired of the dying. I close this subject by suddenly thinking of another song that began with the words, "Let's think about living!".
Please! Let's!
Here come some quick items and yes, there will be some Oscar predictions...
For all you people who have made yourselves believe that we are in danger of having our guns taken away from us, do what Vice President Joe Biden suggests. In case you hadn't heard, he's suggesting that for home protection, you buy a shotgun. I know there's a lot of talk about assault rifles and guns that are like machine guns that people are afraid will be taken from them (which I happen to believe is paranoid nonsense), but a shotgun? I have one. 12-gauge. I believe I'm very well protected. Assault rifle? Machine gun? For what? Unless you want to hang it on a wall like a trophy.
Are you checking out the gas prices? Fun, huh?
Do you understand this "sequester business"? If anyone would like to explain the totality of what this is about, I'd be happy to print it in a future blog. www.scottstjames.blogspot.com
President Obama....Liberal? Really?
He continued Bush's wars, he's ordering the dropping of deadly drones on people, he directed the Osama killing, etc., etc. Liberal? Because he's concerned about all these gun deaths here? Aren't YOU concerned about them?
Feel free to send me your thoughts. www.scottstjames.blogspot.com
I think President Obama is more of a Conservative than a Liberal. Am I the only one who thinks that?
Have you heard about the possible Senate race coming up in Kentucky soon? Actress/activist Ashley Judd might take a crack at beating Kentucky's #1 cracker, Mitch McConnell for a U.S. Senate seat? Hmmmm....
ENTERTAINMENT STUFF:
Diane Lane filed for divorce against Josh Brolin the day after Valentine's Day? I'm not making this up. They've been married for 8-years. Do you think she'll have any trouble getting dates?
I've never met her, but I've had a long distance crush on her for many years. She's now 48, but still hot-hot-hot!!!
Saw one new film this past week. "Would you Rather?" It stars Brittany Snow, Jeffrey Combs, John Heard, Sasha Grey and some other fine supporting actors. This is most definitely not for everyone folks. The title, "Would you Rather?" has to do with a diabolical game that is played in this film. This film had me on the edge of my chair. It's not a great film, but it's a film you can't take your eyes off of. Brittany Snow, a beautiful actress who made a name for herself by playing the role of sweet and innocent Meg Pryor in the show "American Dreams". Ah, how times change. From sweet and innocent to being (in addition to being the star) the executive producer of this horror film. Like Dylan once said; "The times...they are a changin'."
I saw a lot of good television this past week. And if you had the time, I'm sure you did as well. In no particular order, this short list represents to me some big time quality television; ABC's "Revenge", ABC's "Castle", FOX's "The Following", TNT's "Dallas", ABC's "Scandal" and CBS's "The Good Wife". I am now concerned about FOX's "American Idol". I've been a big fan for years, but something is wrong.
OSCAR PREDICTIONS:
This Sunday, most of us will be watching the Oscars. In my role as film judge this past year, I saw every film that was nominated for something and a lot of films that weren't.
Best Film: "Argo" If not, my second choice would be "Silver Linings Playbook".
Director: David O. Russell, "Silver Linings Playbook".
Best Actor: Denzel Washington, "Flight".
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook".
Supporting Actor: Tommy Lee Jones, "Lincoln".
Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, "Les Miserables".
It looks like the producers have gone "all out" while trying to make Sunday's show a very entertaining show. I hope they're successful.
THOUGHTS AND OR COMMENTS? Please write to me at scottstjames@sbcglobal.net and I will respond to you ASAP. Don't write to the blog because there's no way for me to know your email address which means I wouldn't be able to respond to you. I respond to everyone unless you identify yourself as "Anonymous".
THE NEXT BLOG? Well, the way things have been going, it might be Friday again, but what I'll try to do is write it next Thursday evening, February 28 or very early Friday morning, March 1.
Meanwhile, I hope that all of you have a very pleasant weekend which includes enjoying the Oscars and don't forget...
AMERICA FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
