Don't Stop the Pop! Or the Clock! Or the Pop, Some More!

I've been excited for this all month, and it is finally here! DJ Earworm's United States of Pop mash-up for 2010:



I never thought I could tolerate Ke$ha in any form, let alone Katy Perry, but this mash-up manages to make them listenable...

You can watch 2009's mashup here, and 2008's here, (that one's still my fave).

Here's DJ Earworm's post about the song, which includes a link to download the MP3.

Absolutely Epic

Behold, Singing Kitties. Everything the Internet has been working up to.

I'm Trying to Relax and Wait to Commit Suicide!

Thanks to Anonymous for pointing out in my previous post that there is ANOTHER new clip of Royce and Marilyn, and it has one of the best quotes yet!



I have to agree with Royce here. Talking about sports is awful, and even more awful is having to watch sports when all you're trying to do is get plastered at your local watering (hell) hole. GARBAGE!

Royce, P.I.!

OMG! There's a new video of my beloved Royce up on YouTube. I have no idea if it was filmed recently, and it's woefully brief, but at least it's something new.



Whoever is posting these vids is just maddening. He gives no information about Royce and Marilyn's whereabouts, or if they are even still alive, and offers no details about the videos at all. I just hope he is doing this because he has something much bigger and better in the works. Perhaps an actual documentary? Please?

Link-a-Doo

It may look like I'm taking a break from blogging or something, but that's just not the case. I just haven't posted stuff here as much. So this is a reminder that you should be reading my "Hey, Watch It!" posts every day on the SFGate Culture Blog, and I also have a bunch of movie and TV reviews over on the San Francisco Appeal. So go over to both those places and catch up. Now. No, now!

Then you can come back here and watch these totally NSFW videos featuring The Muppets.

I Done a Good Thing

While I was watching "Up" this weekend, (which is awesome, and you should see it right away, although don't feel compelled to see it in 3D; it doesn't really add much to the experience, and I think if I do see it again in a theater it will be in regular D), I was vaguely reminded of a Looney Tunes cartoon during all the scenes with Dug the talking dog, and his fellow army of talking dogs. And because I am brilliant, I was able to figure out just what cartoon it was. It's called "Foxy By Proxy" and I bet dollars to donuts the guys at Pixar were at least partially influenced by it. Watch it below.

Play Me Off, Keyboard Cat

It's Friday. I am so over this week. As a reminder, be sure to check out the San Francisco Appeal, and the SFGate Culture Blog for my latest stuff!

Is it five yet? No? Whatever. Play me off, keyboard cat!

Yoooo-Hooooo!

Yeah, I know. It's been a little quiet around here. It's just that I've been swamped with other Internet bloggy Web site newspapers, and stuff like work and life, is all. (But mainly other Internet bloggy Web site newspapers.)

So, go over to the San Francisco Appeal to check out some movie reviews and the start of a new TV column by moi. And don't forget that you can see my daily TV picks over on the SFGate Culture Blog every day at noon!

Oh, and the other thing I've been doing is watching "Soul Train" videos on YouTube. Can't get enough. Here's one featuring the O'Jays doing one of my all-time fave soul classics, "Backstabbers." Watch the dancer in the front, wearing the vest. I love the hand movement he does whenever the line "they're smiling in your face" is sung. Classic.

Ssssssstrokes

God, I love this.

Magically Delicious

It's Easter, so let's talk about the Irish.

Actually, I meant to talk about this on St. Patrick's day, but it totally slipped my mind until now. Oh well.

A while ago, some friends and I were discussing those old Irish Spring commercials, as stereotypical hipsters are wont to do. I remembered they always involved some comically "Irish" people talking about soap, usually during a picnic, at which point they'd slice into it to show those magic green stripes. Then they'd serve it on crackers and take a shower outdoors.

Turns out, my memories weren't that far off...Here's one with the picnic:



And here's one with an Irish lass at a dog show who decides to take a shower outdoors after being whistled at by a strange man and a little boy....No, really.



And in case you were wondering, yes. Irish Spring is still available. I just wonder if it's still tasty on crackers.

God On a Wheel!

I have lived years of my life knowing nothing--NOTHING--about these women. Today that all changed.



It's things like this that stave off a fear of aging. I mean, really...



Why would I ever fear the time of my life when I can wear gold lame, a fur hat, dance in public, and not give a crap what anyone thinks?



Ok, yes. They may live in a HELL HOLE. But still. Marilyn and Royce, wherever you are, you are my heroes.

[via Boing Boing]

Where the Hipsters Will Be

I'm not sure why, but "Where the Wild Things Are" didn't seem to have quite the influence on me as it did on (seemigly) everyone else of my generation. I know I read it, but I must have gotten it from the library, because I don't recall owning it, or reading it over and over. Maybe it's just because the story is kind of boy-centric...(Although, I was crazy about "Harold and the Purple Crayon," and that was about a little boy, so who knows.)

The upcoming film seems like it was custom-made for the hipster crowd. A film catering to youth nostalgia, directed by Spike Jonze, with music by Karen O, and a screenplay that was touched by Dave Eggers? Are you kidding me? It almost sounds like the set-up for a parody of hipster movies.

But that said, the trailer makes it look really, really good.



Also? Mark Ruffalo is in it. See you opening night!

Where Did You Lose This Interview?

This Is the Best Thing To Wear For the Day

Jezebel has a trailer for the upcoming "Grey Gardens" movie starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. I have to admit, I had my doubts, but Drew's accent is pretty good. I'm hoping there aren't too many moments that just replicate the documentary because, duh, that movie already exists and it's awesome. But delving into their past and throwing in an appearance by Jackie O is something I'd like to see.

Anyway--check out the trailer at the link above, and then watch this clip. Compare. Contrast. Discuss.



Edited to add: Also, in case you haven't heard Christine Ebersole's version of Little Edie in the musical "Grey Gardens," here's a clip. I think she's a little too nasally...

Jon Can Give You Cancer, Then Turn Into a Car!

Tomorrow night can't come fast enough.



Bonus points for the Wilhelm Scream!

Murder Is a Tragic, Tragic Thing

But sometimes, it's just plain hilarious.



Edited to add:

Any Time You Try a Decent Crime, You Got 50 Ways You Can Fuck Up...

I haven't seen "The Wrestler" yet, though I want to. But all this Mickey Rourke comeback talk has reminded me what a DOLL he was back in the 80s. I saw him in "Body Heat" when I was 12, and was instantly enraptured. Even with bad skin and greasy hair he was hot. Of course, he looks nothing like that now. Some of it is age; a lot of it is what he did to himself, but the most striking thing to me is how different he sounds. Listen to his soft little voice in this clip!



I'd share popcorn with him any day!

Hans Solo

I especially appreciate the inclusion of several Wilhelm Screams...



[via Boing Boing]

Check Please, Mr. President

Barack Obama once appeared on the PBS show "Check, Please!", the Chicago edition, I presume. The fact that the President of the United States was on that show is, to me, awesome.



Apparently the entire episode will be re-run in Chicago on the 16th.

[via Eater SF]

Guess What, I Liked It

I don't know much from "mash-ups," mainly because when it comes to what the kids are listening to these days, I'm way out of the loop. But I'm thinking my lack of awareness actually helps me appreciate this mash-up of the top 25 songs of 2008 even more; for the most part, I don't really know which parts are coming from different songs, so it all sounds amazingly cohesive to me.

Well done, DJ Earworm...if that is your real name.



[via B-Side Blog]