The Sly Oyster | culture, entertainment, liberal arts, shenanigans » Asides

Lost has found their Jacob

James Furbush — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:18:24 +0000

And by found we mean cast the role with an actual actor and not a spooky ghost. Looks like some developments as to how Jacob is going to fit into the series have been revealed. If you’re curious. [io9]

Obama will become first sitting president to appear on late night tv

James Furbush — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:27:18 +0000

When he sits down with Jay Leno this Thursday, March 19. I’d rather have him sit down with Jon Stewart, since they could have a humorous but substantive discussion on policy or something. Instead, he’s sitting down with the Chin.

Mickey Rourke signs on to Iron Man 2

James Furbush — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:41:29 +0000

As a Russian villian. Apparantly producers upped their financial offer and it is no longer insulting. [Nikki Finke]

Cops have a field day at Phish concerts

James Furbush — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:20:43 +0000

To the tune of $1.2 million dollars in illegal drugs, $68,000 in cash from concert goers and locked up 194 dirty hippies over the weekend. “Tourism officials had estimated 75,000 fans would be coming to the coastal Virginia city. Nearly 200 law enforcement officers worked the weekend event, with the Vermont-based band picking up the tab.” Still, those shows were killer. I’ve had night one on replay since Saturday morning, brah. [AP]

U2 writing Spider-man musical

James Furbush — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:12:08 +0000

Bono and the Edge are composing music and lyrics for Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, opening on Broadway 2/18/10. Seems like an unusual choice for Julie Taymor’s $30 million extravaganza. According to Hollywood Reporter, Taymor will reunite her Across the Universe stars: Evan Rachel Wood is going to be Mary Jane and Jim Sturgess will play the titular Peter Parker.

SXSW music torrents

James Furbush — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:11:41 +0000

Not making it to Austin’s SXSW this year? Still want to listen to all the great bands and music that they officially post every year. Then you’re in luck. Thankfully, someone has taken all 5 GB of Mp3s and bundled them up into a few torrents. It’s a lot of music, but there are some ace bands in there. [2009 SXSW Torrent]

An album’s worth of unreleased Elliott Smith demos has leaked

James Furbush — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:05:30 +0000

And the good folks over at Rawkblog has got them all zipped up nicely for you. Most of these are from the Basement on a Hill era and they are good. Quite good. If you don’t hear from me again today, then you know what I’ll be doing.

Obama’s First Failure as President

James Furbush — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:58:11 +0000

If you thought President Obama’s inability to swiftly move an economic stimulus package through Congress was his administration’s biggest stumbling block thus far, you need to read Glen Greenwald’s report of Obama’s DOJ opting to adopt the Bush Adminsitration position of state secrets. It’s appalling. [Salon]

2009 Bonnaroo inititial lineup announced

James Furbush — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:15:43 +0000

And it’s a doozy. It’s also clear that six years into it, the music festival is no longer for jam bands. Looking at the lineup this year as compared to 2002 there isn’t much that is the same. The ‘Roo is a musical extravaganza, for better or worse, and this year it’s being headlined by Phish (2 shows) and Bruce Springsteen’s Crotch (no that joke isn’t going to get old anytime soon). Also appearing are: The Beastie Boys, Animal Collective, Snoop Dogg, Nine Inch Nails, Grizzly Bear, David Byrne, Al Green, Wilco, TVOTR, Okkervil River and many more. [Prefix Mag]

2008 Buzzwords

James Furbush — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:36:10 +0000

Lexicographer Grant Barrett assembled a list of the Buzzwords of 2008 for The New York Times. The biggest part of the words came from the US presidential race, and a big chunk were inspired by the economic meltdown. I could almost care less about the words, but the design of each word’s layout is pretty special. I love the sound of “edupunk.” [NY Times]

How did that Happen?

James Furbush — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:07:48 +0000

The big story in the UK right now is that Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah is No. 1, No. 2 and No. 36 on the British music charts.? The version by X Factor winner Alexandra Burke ended up trumping Jeff Buckley’s cover when the latest charts were released on Sunday, marking the first time in history that two versions of the same song occupied the top two spots. Jeff Buckley insisted the song was an homage to the hallelujah of orgasms.? Nothing says I love you Jesus quite like that.? [Reuters]

The State reunites for Sketchfest

James Furbush — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:40:51 +0000

I once had a roommate who would write letters to MTV imploring them to release The State on DVD.? Now he’ll have to save up when all 11 original cast members reunite at San Francisco’s Sketchfest on January 24, 2009.? They’ll be other performances at the comedy festival but do you care?? Afterall, if I told you to go dip your balls in it and you know exactly what I’m talking about than San Fran is where you’ll want to be at.? [Pop Candy]

Our galaxy is being pulled towards a cosmic Niagara Falls

James Furbush — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:32:12 +0000

Luckily for us, The Great Attractor, as it’s known in astrophysics, is 250-million light years away and our galaxy is being pulled towards this gravitationaly anomaly, this cosmic thingie (that’s a scientific term), at a rate of 1,000,000 miles per hour.? Now not being a math expert, I’d say that at the very least this is not something I’ll have to lose sleep over.? But I found it interesting nonetheless.? [Ponder About]

Drunk Jeff Goldblum

James Furbush — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:01:00 +0000

As Lindsay at Videogum says, “no video thing gave me more pleasure in 2008 than Jeff Goldblum Drunk.” It was an excellent meme, really aces. Thankfully, she put together the best eight to watch because you’ll spend “the next half hour gathered ’round the laptop, clutching [y]our sides and wiping tears” watching “the entire Jeff Goldblum Drunk ouevre on YouTube. Twice.” It really is that funny. [Videogum]

From the Onion

James Furbush — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:30:04 +0000

Area Woman becomes Republican Vice Presidential Candidate. “The mother of five, who enjoys attending church potluck dinners with husband Todd, an unemployed commercial fisherman, reportedly “jumped at the chance” to become the second most powerful person in the country.” One of these days I’m going to finalize my idea for an “Onion or Not” feature where you guys will have to guess if the story is from The Onion or from the real news. [The Onion]

Year in Photos

James Furbush — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:01:54 +0000

Boston Globe’s The Big Picture was probably my favorite blog to deput in 2008. Amazingly simple, but incredibly well executed by Alan Taylor. The large photos (900px wide) make it a site worth checking in on at a minimum of once per week. Yesterday, Taylor unveiled his carefully curated year in photos. It’s spread out over three parts, with Part 1 and Part 2 already posted. The final installment will be revealed tomorrow. I’m not sure I can single out a favorite photo.

Word of the Year

James Furbush — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:18:54 +0000

Would you believe that it’s overshare? No, of course you wouldn’t. Because that’s a silly thing to choose as word of the year, but lo and behold. Webster’s Dictionary has choosen overshare as the defining word of 2008. There’s even a video press release. Emily Gould can now take a bow. I know she didn’t invent the word, but I have a feeling the word wouldn’t have been nearly as important without her. That’s saying something. Kudos bar to you Emily.

Dubai’s Refrigerated beach

James Furbush — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:31:56 +0000

Because why not? It’s freaking Dubai. “Soheil Abedian, founder and president of Palazzo Versace, said he believed it is possible to design a refrigerated beach and make it sustainable. ‘We will suck the heat out of the sand to keep it cool enough to lie on,’ he said. ‘This is the kind of luxury that top people want…’” And it’s the kind of thing top people should get. [Times Online]

Where’s the money Paulson?

James Furbush — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:19:12 +0000

Nearly $350 billion dollars have been doled out from the $700 billion bailout fund by Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson. And yet, the economy continues to shit it’s pants. Where did the money go to? Good thing Congress demanded oversight for those taxpayer funds. Mike Maddon of Salon investigates and it’s not pretty. [Salon]

Braving the Xmas shoppers

James Furbush — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:29:05 +0000

I’m making a move to do some Christmas shopping. Wish me luck. I’ll be back, hopefully, within a few hours to resume stories. Update: The mall – crazy ya’ll. Holiday shopping is the suck.

Phish headlining the Roo in 2009?

James Furbush — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:18:46 +0000

Not sure how I missed this one, but this news hit a few days ago. Hidden Track has the deets: “As we speculated two weeks ago, Rolling Stone’s sources tell the mag that Phish will headline two nights of Bonnaroo 2009 with Bruce Springsteen set to close the festival on Sunday night. What remains to be seen is whether the soon-to-be-reunited Dead join in on the fun. We can’t wait to see what Pitchfork and Stereogum would say about Phish and the Dead appearing at the ‘Roo. There goes the festie’s hipster cred.” Except that Bonnaroo started as a jam-based festival and Trey has played five times over the years.

Most ridiculous film plots of 2008

James Furbush — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:49:28 +0000

It’s been a good year for movies, if you don’t analyze the plots all that much. I often wonder what movies would be like in real life, i.e. Tony Stark in Iron Man would just be killed once the terrorists realize a ransom won’t be paid. But then that would make most movies like 30 minutes long. I’m okay with that. Coming back home, I watched The Dark Knight again and realized that even though it’s a gripping crime drama and held my attention for two-plus hours, the plot is absurd. And that’s why those two movies make the list, along with Mama Mia!, Indiana Jones, Sex and the City, Hancock, and Wanted. I won’t include the final one on the list, since it makes for a good punchline. [The Guardian]

The real people who inspired pop songs

James Furbush — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:39:39 +0000

Music history is littered with pop songs inspired by real people. Who could forget the first time they found out Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughtta Know” was inspired by Full House’s Uncle Joey Dave Coulier. It was disturbing and unbelievable. It was like finding out your Catholic priest was a pedophile. At once you stared in disbelief and felt like you needed to down a few drams of Scotch. Find out about other pop song backstories from music writer Dave Simpson. Metafilter also has a nice thread going with people contributing info about other songs. [Guardian and Metafilter]

Wikipedia’s List of Common Misconceptions

James Furbush — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:20:41 +0000

It’s a giant list. And I’ll give you one that I particularly like, as an American History-tard. “Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free all American slaves, just those in the rebelling area (i.e. most of the South). Since that area did not recognize the power of the Federal government, few slaves were freed by the Proclamation. Regions in the South that were under Union control when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued were not affected by it. These regions were: Tennessee, southern Louisiana, and parts of Virginia.” Oh take that Abe Lincoln and your useless Enamcipation Proclamation! I always thought that was a good conversation starter at parties and bars, which is why no one ever wanted to talk to me. [List of Misconceptions]

Bush Shoe Throw Game

James Furbush — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:44:34 +0000

There is a sort of perverse satisfication with throwing a shoe at the president and watching blood spurt out from his head. Still, I’m not very good at this game, with my high score being 28 or so. You think it’s easy? Hesitate and he drops right down again. He’s very agile, good reflexes, no easy target.

Roger Avary pleads not guilty

James Furbush — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:06:42 +0000

The Los Angeles Times reports that Academy Award-winning screenwriter Roger Avary pleaded Not Guilty at a Ventura California courthouse on Friday to manslaughter and other charges connected to a January 13th single car collision which resulted in the death of another passenger. Avary’s blood alcohol level was over the legal limit at the time of the crash; besides felony manslaughter, Avary faces two felony counts of causing bodily injury while intoxicated, charges that could bring 11 years behind bars. [LA Times]

A year of ideas and words

James Furbush — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:35:36 +0000

More end of the year goodness. I particularly enjoy reading the NY Times Magazine Year in Ideas. It always strikes me as the most eclectic year-end list. It also acts as a nice primer for forgot or overlooked stories, for example: elderly airbags. Seriously. Who knew? Certainly not me. [Year in Ideas 2008]

If Gamers Ran the World

James Furbush — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:42:20 +0000

Fascinating essay that transposes game theory on top of public policy, which argues that key gaming concepts — scarcity, complexity, efficiency, failure, etc. — are all effective tools for understanding governance. [If Gamers Ran the World / via]

Catch the Frak up on Battlestar Galactica

James Furbush — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:17:44 +0000

The final season starts in January, so now would be a good time to catch up on the show. SciFi Channel has posted a 13-minute clip designed to get everyone caught up. You know if you’re having a hard time remembering who’s a Cylon and who’s a human or how exactly they got to Earth, etc. [Sci Fi Channel]

Will Smith Hates Us

James Furbush — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:27:54 +0000

How else to explain his insistence on making a prequel to I Am Legend, otherwise known as Will Smith chills at home and occassionally drives around New York in search of vampire-like creatures. Bo-ring. If that wasn’t enough, Smith is now intent on making a sequel to Hancock, which was two-thirds a good movie but ultimately let down by a weak third act. More than anything Hancock could have established an irreverent superhero franchise; instead it was a movie made by the lowlest common denominator Hollywood machine. For shame Fresh Prince, for shame. [JoBlo]

The continued war on science

James Furbush — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:54:39 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, the mid-career median salary for a philosophy professor is more than that of a chemistry professor. Interesting to see which professors make some bank. And yes, I realize that I’m picking my data points to make a larger point and that if I look at all the “science” related salaries they probably outweigh the non-science related salaries. Still, it’s worth noting the discrepancy in the job salaries. Salaries of course, are analogous to which fields are more respected, not unlike athletes. [via]

The rich passing for middle class

James Furbush — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:29:18 +0000

According to Vanity Fair: “Now many bankers, along with discovering $15 bottles of wine, are finding other ways to cut back—if not out of necessity, then from collective guilt and fear: the fitness trainer from three times a week to once a week; the haircut and highlights every eight weeks instead of every five. One prominent “hedgie” recently flew to China for business—but not on a private plane, as before. “Why should I pay $250,000 for a private plane,” he said to a friend, “when I can pay $20,000 to fly commercial first class?” The new thriftiness takes a bit of getting used to. “I was at the Food Emporium in Bedford [in Westchester County] yesterday, using my Food Emporium discount card,” recounts one Greenwich woman. “The well-dressed wife of a Wall Street guy was standing behind me. She asked me how to get one. Then she said, ‘Have you ever used coupons?’ I said, ‘Sure, maybe not lately, but sure.’ She said, ‘It’s all the rage now—where do you get them?’”

Robot Chicken does Joss Whedon and Ron Moore

James Furbush — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:45:08 +0000

I guess this would only be funny or interesting if you’re into Joss Whedon or Ron Moore or think making fun of Seth McFarlane is noteworthy. I answered yes to all three things. Anyway, Seth Green’s Robot Chicken takes a stab at making with the jokes at the expense of Whedon, Moore and McFarlane. No embed code, so you’ll just have to watch elsewhere. [Adult Swim]

Bonnaroo has scheduled dates for 2009

James Furbush — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:48:18 +0000

Nothing to get too excited about just yet, afterall no lineups have been announced. But, you can begin to mark your calendars for 2009. “The eighth Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will be held June 11-14, 2009, on its usual site in Manchester, Tenn., an hour southeast of Nashville. The first round of ticket pre-sales begins Thursday (Dec. 4); a lineup announcement is expected early next year.” Also a first this year, tix can be put on layaway for five easy payments of $50. Yay financial crisis! [Billboard]

Axl Rose sues Dr. Pepper

James Furbush — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:42:18 +0000

Now that’s the Axl I know and love. Nobody got their free Dr. Pepper when GNR released Chinese Democracy; the website crashed, you couldn’t get through on the phone, so Axl’s lawyers are filing pissed off litigious complaints: “In and of itself this campaign brazenly violated our clients’ rights in numerous respects. Unfortunately, Dr Pepper has now magnified the damage this campaign has caused through its appalling failure to make good on a promise it made to the American public.” That’s called getting bitch slapped. Surprisingly the lawsuit didn’t take 17 years. [AdAge]

Superheroes past and present

James Furbush — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:16:39 +0000

Jonathan Jones at The Guardian takes a comparative look at today’s superheroes and how they stack up against the heroes of yesteryear. “Superman is Apollo and, in moments of extreme action, Hercules. Batman is Achilles. Spiderman is Mercury. On the other hand the modern heroes are truly “modern” in their capacity for introspection and doubt. Spiderman’s adolescent anxieties are a lot more troubling than anything an ancient hero would confess to.” [The Guardian]

Year end lists

James Furbush — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:28:28 +0000

December means year end lists. Lots of lists. An avalanche of lists conoting the best in culture whether it be books, movies, music, or anything else that can be judged into a neat little list. For some, it’s also the time of year when you scratch your heads and say “never heard of that one?” Still two excellent resources if you’re into year end lists can be found at Fimoculous, who attempts to compile every single year end list, and Largehearted Boy, who obsessively compiles every music and book related year end list.

Unflattering Mickey Rourke profile

James Furbush — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:45:37 +0000

The New York Times’s Pat Jordan, a sportswriter, goes toe to toe with Mickey Rourke and isn’t buying what his PR people are pushing. But it is a great read. To wit: “You want to earn respect in your old age,” he went on to say. “You want to walk into a restaurant and have people say: ‘There’s Mickey Rourke. He was great in “The Wrestler.” ’ You don’t want them jumping out of windows.” Semi-related – Jordan’s story on Deadspin about attempting to interview Jose Canseco is a gem.

Gay Adoption: The Real Agenda

James Furbush — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:33:59 +0000

It made me sad for this country and for foster children when several states voted to essentially ban gays and gay couples from adopting strictly because they are gay. Of course, many of the laws are under the guise of “single couples.” It comes down to the idea of what makes good parents? And does being gay inherently make someone a bad parent? I say no, simply because of the preponderance of evidence of terribly neglectful hetero couples. A loving home should be a loving home. “Gays are treated as more dangerous than felons, drug offenders and known child abusers — none of whom is categorically barred from adopting.” [Real Clear Politics]

Senator Al Franken?

James Furbush — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:02:52 +0000

Interesting regression analysis by Nate Silver over at 538. He’s predicting that once the Minnesota recount is completed that Al Franken will beat Norm Coleman by 27 votes. Nate was right just about every single time throughout the Democratic primaries and again during the presidential race. Interesting to see if this shakes out. If it does there is no telling how high his stock will rise as a political analysis. [fivethirtyeight.com]