What color are your quarantine sweatpants? 👖
The dark circles under my eyes may contain
SECRET MESSAGES.
What's shakin'? Are you having weird dreams? Is this all a dream? Will I ever wear a bra again? Who knows, but I do have a few things to share if you have a hot second*...
TV:
- Paul points out the New Yorker's list of the best shows to stream right now. It doesn't include WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, which is criminal.
- Steve wrote in to say he's bingeing the heck outta DEAD TO ME's second season. I could watch Linda Cardellini stare at a Q-Tip for two hours and be perfectly happy.
MOVIES:
- Sure, I'll watch Pete Davidson in THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND. The new Judd Apatow film comes out June 12, and thank goodness all the movies are on demand now, because his films are so long I always need a bathroom break.
- A docuseries called A TOY STORE NEAR YOU explores the culture of indie/vintage toy stores--and it's so current that it *also* explores how the coronavirus is putting them in jeopardy. See the trailer now, and look for the series soon.
PODCASTS:
- Conan O'Brien had a great podcast conversation with Ted Danson. (Conan also went on Pete Holmes' podcast a few weeks ago, and they talked for two hours about everything.)
- DOUBLE THREAT still makes me laugh so hard it heals me. This week Tom Scharpling asked Julie Klausner to name a movie that best represented her life. Her answer: RICHARD JEWELL.
- REPLY ALL had a good ep this week about how grocery stores get their music playlists.
- Brian D. wrote in to say he's been listening to THE DARKEST TIMELINE with Ken Jeong and Joel McHale and FAKE DOCTORS, REAL FRIENDS with Zach Braff and Donald Faison. Cheers to pandemic podcasting!
MUSIC:
- Bono shared a list of "60 Songs That Saved My Life" in honor of his 60th birthday. Gotta say, "Walking in My Shoes" is a surprise Depeche Mode pick! Over on U2.com you can read his fan letters about every song.
- Ooh, the new issue of The Big Takeover has Robert Pollard/Guided by Voices on the cover. Gimme gimme.
- Watch a 1985 Prince concert this weekend on YouTube.
- Chad adores this performance that popped up on "The Tweedy Show" livestream.
- Mark alerts us of the Built to Spill tribute to Daniel Johnston that comes out June 12. (That sounds perfect. I was just listening to some Halo Benders songs the other day.)
BOOKS:
- I'm thrilled to announce that I have finally found a book during this dang quarantine that I can't put down: Richard Brautigan's REVENGE OF THE LAWN (published in 1971). It consists of 62 super-short stories, and every line is quotable. It's also inspiring me to write some stuff, which maybe I'll post on Patreon in the coming days/weeks.
- Ooh, did you know there's a new book about the 13th Floor Elevators?
- Shout-out to super-longtime reader Sammy for recommending the new book SUNNY DAYS: THE CHILDREN'S TELEVISION REVOLUTION by David Kamp. I've heard great things.
KIDS:
- This week's Atlas Crate delivery saved my life, so I just wanted to mention them here. Sign up, and each month your kid receives a box full of crafts/facts/fun about a different country. (My daughter just got Sweden.)
MISCELLANY:
- The New York Public Library released a compilation of New York sounds that we haven't heard in awhile, whether it's glass breaking in a bar or a performance on the subway. I miss them all.
- Kyle Buchanan's oral history of MAD MAX: FURY ROAD has everything you ever wanted to know about the movie and then some.
- And shout-out to Dave H., who ordered a five-pound box of comics from Mile High Comics for his kids. Buy comics and save the industry! (By the way, if you support me on Patreon, one thing you get is my exclusive list of 99 graphic novel recommendations.)
HEY, DEAN:
- Last week our pal Dean challenged us to name a piece of art from the last five years that affected us as strongly as something we loved when we were young. You guys named everything from the AMC series DISPATCHES FROM ELSEWHERE to Gorillaz's live version of the song "Hong Kong." Here are five things that came to mind for me:
1. St. Vincent's "Los Ageless," which is one of my favorite songs of the last five years;
2. Courtney Barnett's TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL (2018) and SOMETIMES I SIT AND THINK, AND SOMETIMES I JUST SIT (2015);
3. THE LEFTOVERS, particularly the series finale;
4. Season 2 of FLEABAG; and
5. THE FIRST BAD MAN by Miranda July.
I'll keep thinking, but those things will always occupy a pleasant space in my brain.
A NEW QUESTION!
Brian D. poses this to all of us:
"I'd be curious what mobile games your readers might have to recommend. I'm sure since a lot of people are at home now, they have more time (and need) for some distraction. I have a handful I play, including Word Stacks and Marvel Strike Force." Toss your answers to whitmath@gmail.com, and I'll include some next week.
Wear a muumuu, save the world.**
That's all for now! Reach out and touch me (from a distance) via whitmath@gmail.com, 929-515-1988, Twitter, Instagram or magic transportive mask.
*does a little dance, makes a little love, locks down tonight*
K.C. Koloski
*The top photo isn't completely accurate, because I just dyed my roots back to black!
**This image is from a comic I posted on Patreon. I also posted a mini-podcast. I also stared at the ceiling and catalogued my regrets.
“I'm all lost in the supermarket, I can no longer shop happily...”
- The Clash, "Lost in the Supermarket"