No. 18: Ted Danson, bad album covers, Mr. T wisdom & more
Hey, snow devil!
Right now I'm wearing more layers than '80s Keanu Reeves, and I don't even live inside this polar vortex. My heart goes out to all of you Midwesterners, particularly if you've had to venture outdoors in dangerous temps.
Let's defrost that earwax with some recommendations, shall we?
11 things I'm into this week ...
A few things sizzling my bacon right now:
1. I'm slowly savoring the final episodes of UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT. In terms of laugh-out-loud jokes per minute, nothing comes within a mile of this show.
2. ... OK, maybe TOAST OF LONDON comes close. Three seasons of Matt Berry's British comedy are on Netflix, and the absurd humor is exactly what I need after a long day. It follows Steven Toast, an actor past his prime who keeps making abysmal life and career choices. I'm a sucker for a sight gag, and TOAST has loaves of 'em!
3. The podcast RAISED BY TV has a good ep featuring Jason Mantzoukas that references M*A*S*H, THIRTYSOMETHING, ZOOM and other vintage classics. I don't always listen to this show because the hosts are so much younger than I am, but Jason's references are spot-on.
4. Oh my golly, this new Panda Bear song is everything I need. Listen to "Token" three times with your eyes shut and let it work its magic.
5. Props to writer Sarah Stankorb for scoring an interview with Christopher Pike. I loved his scary teen novels, particularly CHAIN LETTER, WEEKEND and REMEMBER ME. I kind of want to reread them now, just to see how they hold up.
6. I adored Jon Wurster's Facebook post/thread about great albums with terrible covers. Yeah, THE WHO SELL OUT is pretty painful to look at. What else comes to mind?
7. Did you watch VALLEY OF THE BOOM? I saw the whole thing on Hulu, and Steve Zahn just kills it. Somehow the whole "Michael Fenne" insanity escaped me for 20 years.
8. I've also been catching up on THE GOOD PLACE, since Season 3 just landed on Hulu. It might be Ted Danson's best work since LITTLE DANSON MAN.
9. The Criterion Channel goes live April 8! Sign up now, and you get an extended 30-day free trial.
10. My daughter just read Cece Bell's EL DEAFO, and I can't praise it enough. Cece's graphic memoir tells her story of growing up with a hearing aid and encourages kids to embrace their differences. (Also, the characters are drawn as bunnies, and who doesn't love bunnies?)
11. "Do Things Matter?" Sarah Miller asks in a recent Popula essay. Maybe! Or maybe not! But while we're here, I guess we might as well throw New Wave dance parties and write haikus about Carol Channing (RIP).
Hey, I'm in a book! Right now you can pre-order MOVING FOREWORD, a hilarious compilation of forewords to made-up books. Along with my weird little essay, it includes contributions from esteemed folks like Shirley Manson, John Oates, Tom Lennon, Moby and the late Adam West. It arrives in bookstores in April.
... and YOU recommend:
TV: Chris loved Amanda Seales' new HBO comedy special and just got tickets to her upcoming Cleveland show.
MUSIC: Kevin digs Toronto rock band The Beaches, particularly the song "T-shirt." Ellie is into the new album from Dylan Walshe, an artist she discovered through his "Straight to Hell" cover a few years ago. Herman points us to this new Killers song. Jay in Atlanta wants to make sure I've heard the song "R.E.M." by Drivin N Cryin. And Dennis is head over heels for boygenius.
MOVIES: Michael is thrilled the 1988 movie WILLOW is finally available digitally via Amazon and iTunes. Josh recommends the 2014 documentary TIM'S VERMEER. Directed by Teller (and narrated by Penn Jillette), it follows scientist Tim Jenisen, who theorizes that Johannes Vermeer painted with the aid of mirrors and lenses.
BOOKS: Jerilyn says she didn't think John Carreyrou's BAD BLOOD would be her jam, but she loved it. Herman recommends Johnny Marr's memoir, SET THE BOY FREE. Amanda tore through Tina Brown's VANITY FAIR DIARIES.
MISCELLANY: Erika seconds last week's recommendation for the National Comedy Center and adds that the Lucille Ball Museum is a must-stop, too.
I wanna know what you're into! Email me (just hit reply) or leave a text/voicemail at 929-515-1988. I'll pass on your suggestions!
Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na ... BLOOD GIRL!
'Til we meet again ...
Yep, I still leave daily voicemails at 929-515-1988 -- or sometimes I just hand the mic to my kid so she can sing a Beatles song for 45 seconds. Get in touch anytime, if only to let me know you read/enjoyed this email.
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Feelin' coldcoldcold,
*adds another cardigan*
Buster Poindexter
"I wear sandals, like Jesus. When it gets cold in Chicago, the snow way up to my knees, I still wear my sandals."
- Mr. T