No. 16: Vixens, browser wars, apocalypses & so much more!
Ahoy, Herbie!
Man oh man, it's freezing outside! I'll give you a winter life tip, though: The next time you go to a coffee shop or whatnot and wanna be left alone, wear earmuffs. For some reason, when I wear mine, it's like people think I can't hear through them (or maybe they just think I'm super-weird for wearing earmuffs indoors). Plain ol' hats don't have this superpower!
Anyway, enough talk about the weather and the government, let's move along ...
11 things I'm into this week ...
What's moving my needle right now? Read on:
1. Please tell me you're watching VALLEY OF THE BOOM on Nat Geo/Hulu. Part-scripted miniseries and part-documentary, the show looks back at the '90s internet browser wars. The cast includes Bradley Whitford and Steve Zahn, who steals every scene he's in. (It also features Oliver Cooper, who was so great on Amazon's RED OAKS.) In this Peak TV era, I appreciate how creator Matthew Carnahan plays with the storytelling: There's a surprise every few minutes, whether it's characters breaking the fourth wall or a puppet acting like Bill Gates.
2. I had to pick up Vol. 1 of VIXENS, the Archie Comics book where Betty and Veronica start an all-girl biker gang. It's fun and a little badass, kinda like a PG-13 Russ Meyer flick.
3. I fell down a weird SLOBBY'S WORLD tunnel, and I'm not sure I'll ever be the same. Originally part of Go90 and now on Netflix, the reality show follows "Slobby" Robby Hall, owner of a '80s and '90s retro shop in Tucson. I thought I knew the vintage world, but it turns out I'm old and know nothing. While I don't share Slobby's enthusiasm for Tommy Hilfiger and fake Gucci sweatshirts, I respect his passion and business savvy. The dude is a postmodern short story come to life.
4. Sharon Van Etten has a new record out today, and I've been blaring the killer track "Seventeen" all week as I stroll the frigid city.
5. Yes, I watched FYRE FRAUD on Hulu. It's worth seeing, and I'll probably watch the Netflix doc, too. (I will say most 20-somethings I've encountered aren't anything like the idiots in this movie. Most of my college students were way too busy working and worrying to give luxury vacations and Instagram influencers too much of their time.)
6. R.I.P. to Stuck in the '80s, the long-running blog from my fellow journalist/pop-culture enthusiast Steve Spears. Steve tells me he'll continue doing his Stuck in the '80s podcast, and he even has an '80s cruise up his sleeve that sounds fantastic and features OMD, The English Beat and other artists.
7. Tony Millionaire is one of the best cartoonists around, and right now he's taking commissions and selling prints. He'll draw your dog, your basement, whatever ya want!
8. Love the new trailer for NOW APOCALYPSE, Gregg Araki's new "provocative and surreal comedy series." Steven Soderbergh is an executive producer. It launches March 10 on Starz, and I'm all in. (Obviously, don't watch this trailer with kids or sensitive co-workers.)
9. I was excited to hear about these "sleepbuds," but holy moly, they're expensive! Has anyone tried them? Is there something similar I should try? CozyPhones aren't quite cutting it for me anymore.
10. Congrats to Karl Stevens on his artwork being featured in an upcoming Botticelli exhibit at the Gardner Museum in Boston. Stevens' art just blows me away, and his book THE WINNER was one of my faves of 2018. He's also doing some cartoons for the New Yorker. This is your year, Karl!
11. And finally, beloved cartoonist Batton Lash passed away this week. I met Bat about 12 years ago, and it was always such a pleasure to see him at Comic-Con with his wonderful wife, Eisner Awards queen Jackie Estrada. Heidi MacDonald wrote a nice appreciation, and Jackie has been posting some lovely memories on Facebook. What a kind, talented soul. We're thinking of you, Jackie.
I interviewed Mark Duplass for PleaseKillMe this week. I hadn't talked to him since he and Jay Duplass released THE PUFFY CHAIR in 2005, and I'm happy to say he's just as kind and funny and humble as he was then.
... and YOU recommend:
MUSIC: Several of you are listening to the new Cranberries song, "All Over Now." (RIP, Delores.) Jamie says this song/video by Athens-based band Flamingo Shadow is "the happiest-sounding song you'll ever hear about automation and the impending rise of the machines." Chris recommends the all-girl punk band T-Rextasy. And Jay in Atlanta swears Australian indie band Gang of Youths put on one of the best shows he's ever seen.
MOVIES: Stephanie points us to the music doc WAITING: THE VAN DUREN STORY, "about a Memphis musician whose music is kind of lost to history." Leanne dug THE FAVOURITE, but she adds that "it's fine to wait until you can see it at home!" Doug texted me to say ANNIHILATION is also streaming on Amazon Prime right now.
TV: Shannon points out that CHEWING GUM'S Michaela Coel is posting screenplays with notes over at michaelacoel.co.uk. See the show on Netflix if you haven't already.
BOOKS: Many of you are psyched about Brian Raftery's upcoming book about 1999 films, BEST. MOVIE. YEAR. EVER. Joey says we might like the comic DIE by Kieron Gillen, which he describes as "Jumanji and/or the '80s Dungeons & Dragons cartoon, but darker and emotionally heavier."
MISCELLANY: Joey also wants us to know about this person who posts "a daily typographic tribute to the lyrics of R.E.M." (You can buy prints, too.) And Gail wants to make sure we see Kermit the Frog cover the Talking Heads, which can turn your day right around.
Please send your dazzling recommendations via email (just hit reply) or text/voicemail at 929-515-1988. I'll share them next week!
New hair = new attitude! Here's hoping new financial stability will follow ...
I'll be back when the day is new ...
Thanks for reading and sending so many words of encouragement and viewing/listening tips. Don't forget: You can call anytime at 929-515-1988 to say hi via text or voicemail and hear my daily messages. Email is perfect for podcast/interview requests, freelance opportunities, press releases, love letters and the like.
Tell your pals to subscribe at WhitneyMatheson.com or this page. Keep those toes warm, and I'll see you next week! (And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!)
With e-cigs for legs,
Stefano DiMera
"Just because you're wearing a goofy hat doesn't make it performance art." - Kathleen Hanna
"Believe me, when you get a dozen people seated at a fairly formal dinner party and they've all got on perfectly ridiculous chapeaus, the evening takes care of itself." - Audrey Geisel, widow of author (and hat lover) Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel