Two things that I’ve lent our support to since day one of this site have been the show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and master mc, Kool Keith.  Now it looks like the two have teamed up to push help promote the novelty DICK TOWEL, which originally stemmed from an episode of the FX comedy program.  The video first aired on Dicktowel.com last night and now we’re doing our own little premier for you on the site, right here..

We’ve already posted to death about It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and have even hosted a contest/giveaway for Dick Towels in the past.  For further information, go to DickTowel.com check out some of our past Keith Thornton and It’s Always Sunny posts :

The Days of Disco (interview with Charlie Day & Mary Elizabeth Ellis)

DICK TOWEL – From The TV to The Internet to That Ass

In Space No One Can Hear You Laugh: Boldy Going Nowhere

Master of the Game: Kool Keith & N8 Van Dyke in Seattle (Pt. 2)

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Recently, Will Ferrell’s FunnyOrDie.com teamed up with HBO to present a new television program entitled, Funny Or Die Presents.  The weekly series airs each Friday night and features a rotating cast of comedians, actors, and FunnyOrDie.com regulars.  The first airing of the show took place on February 19th and, although I have never seen a full episode, it appears that the pay-cable version of FOD follows a similar content as that of the website, however the new format seems to provide for a more in-depth and lengthier approach, allowing the contributors to explore new uncharted territory.

Last Friday, HBO aired Episode #4, which featured a presentation by Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim.  We are huge fans of Tim and Eric’s work from Tom Goes to the Mayor to Awesome Show, Great Job! and, although they have done an amazing job at establishing their own signature style, they still continuously manage to produce new projects that are fresh and innovative.  If you read our review of last years Awesome Tour or have witnessed any of Wareheim’s video directing work, then you probably understand exactly what we’re referring to.  Father and Son, the duo’s contribution to Funny or Die Presents, is dark  and hilarious piece that exhibits even more range and breaks new barriers for the comedy team. (more…)

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“Hey everyone! Monster Fresh made this group for me, and I think it’s rather ingenious. It worked for Betty White and SNL. I mean, I can picture myself as Slimer, Moranis’s son, the new Stay Puft… Become a fan and pass it on!“ -Har Mar Superstar

BECOME A FAN

I conducted an interview with musician/writer/actor Sean Tillmann (aka: Har Mar Superstar) back in January, in which we spoke of the rumors behind a new Ghostbusters film (now confirmed).  I then asked Tillmann if it was something that he would be interested in being a part of, to which he responded:

“Oh, to be in Ghostbusters 3? It would be amazing. Yes, of course! Are you casting me?”

Of course I was not, but the plan became to get the concept that he was going to be cast out into the ether with the hopes that it would manifest itself into reality.  That didn’t exactly work, but now that I’ve brought up the possibility of such dreams, it’s time for a little follow through.  Since, these days, it has become perfectly clear that the only way to efficiently make a point or to get anything accomplished is to create a FACEBOOK page, here it is.

You loved him in Whip It!, in his Crappy Holidays film shorts, and as “Dancin Rick” in Starsky as Hutch.  With your help, perhaps we will love him in Ghostbusters 3 as “Moranis’ son or like… sidekick?” or something…

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On Christmas day of 2006, James Brown died at the age of 73.   The official cause of death was determined to be congestive heart failure, brought on by complications with pneumonia.   To anyone that remembers his haggard mugshot and takes into account the age of this man and the life he lived, it shouldn’t have been much of a surprise.  He was an amazing innovator who had a great run and left a stamp on the world forever, but it appeared that “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business” was all worked out.  Although the 3 separate New Years Eve performances/appearances that he was slated to make were canceled due to his demise, that didn’t mean that the spectacle was over. In fact, there was 3 separate memorial services held for him instead.  The first was at the Apollo Theater in NY on Dec. 28th, followed by a private memorial for family and friends in North Augusta, SC on the 29th, and then another large scale event on the 30th at James Brown Theater in Augusta, Ga.  Throughout these various services/presentations, the following was included: a open gold casket, a white glass-encased horse drawn carriage to transport it through the streets of New York, nachos, Michael Jackson, Bootsy Collins, a dance by MC Hammer, costume changes for the body, and more (yes… we’re fucking serious).

As is far too common these days with the deaths of celebrities, and even more-so legends, there was a lot of disputes regarding both Brown’s will and where his final resting place had been.  Much like we witnessed last year with the death of Michael Jackson, family members and others actually argued about where to rest the musician’s body.  They had already transported it all over the goddamn East Coast as it was, so I guess they figured that they could shift it around a bit more.  I’m sure it’s all in keeping with whatever they feel James would have desired because, honestly, who wouldn’t want their lifeless corpse dragged around by horses, redressed constantly, put on display, and then buried and reburied after their death?  First his body was temporarily placed in a temperature controlled room at his estate, before being moved to an “undisclosed location“, as his common-law widow, Tomi Rae Hynie, and his children viciously argued about where it’s permanent resting place should be.  It only took a little over 10 weeks after his death for both sides to come to an agreement “amicably”.  The decision was to build a public mausoleum and, in an effort to keep milking the cash cow, transform the former legends estate into an attraction the likes of Graceland.  Until then, it was chosen for the body to be held temporarily in a crypt at the home of Brown’s daughter Deanna Brown-Thomas.  Another private ceremony was held at Thomas‘ home, which was officiated by Reverend Al Sharpton, just like the previous 3.  Since that date on March 10, 2007, this is where the body has been laid to rest (or rather, “SNOOZE”) for the last 3 years.  Or has it?

As reported by the New York post, a 48 year-old woman by the name of LaRhonda Pettit is actually claiming that JB’s body has gone missing. (more…)

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“It was either a massive 30-city tour or start helping out around the house”
- Conan O’Brien

By now, most people know all about the drama surrounding Conan O’Brien finally getting the Tonight Show spot and then, more or less, slowly being pushed from the position that he had dreamed about obtaining for so long.  Details and opinions can me mixed but, when it’s all said and done, it doesn’t matter.  The Tonight Show has lost their credibility and Conan has gained even more of it throughout this entire fiasco.  Jay Leno still comes across as your parents friend who tells bad jokes like, “Working hard or hardly working?“, as he took his role back entertaining the elderly with insomnia.

Recently there have been many rumors about what would be 8 foot Irishman’s next move.  The rumor with the biggest hype behind it was that the former talkshow host/comedy writer my be going on a multi-city live tour.  Due to legally binding stipulations in his exit contract with NBC, which would prevent him from appearing in a talk show spot with any other station for months, this would be a great way for O’Brien to sustain his momentum and remain in the public eye in the meantime.  Well, this is now officially much more than a rumor, as tickets for the tour went live this morning.

Being marketed as, “A night of music, comedy, hugging, and the occasional awkward silence“, the 30 city tour kicks off on April 12th in Eugene, OR and ends on June 14th at the FOX theatre in Atlanta, GA.  Perhaps even more surprising than the tour itself, however,  is the information that it will include a stop at the Bonaroo Music Festival in Manchester, TN.  The press release states that the live comedy/music review “will include longtime sidekick Andy Richter and the former Tonight Show band” however, word is that Max Weinberg will not be part of it.

Get your tickets fast, because these spots are bound to disappear quickly.

Here are the tour dates: (more…)

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Before going to sleep last night, I heard that another great loss in the music world had taken place.  As reported by Rolling Stone, singer/songwriter/producer, Mark Linkous (aka: Sparklehorse) took his own life yesterday (March 6th, 2010).  According to the magazine, this has been confirmed by the late-artist’s publicist and the following statements have been officially released by Linkous‘ family.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and family member, Mark Linkous, took his own life today,”

“We are thankful for his time with us and will hold him forever in our hearts. May his journey be peaceful, happy and free. There’s a heaven and there’s a star for you.”

I laid down with the assumption that I would wake up to endless posts and messages regarding Linkous‘ untimely death, but this doesn’t seem to be the case.  I generally wouldn’t put too much thought into reporting news such as this, but that’s not because I don’t feel that it’s important.  It’s usually because I don’t feel that it’s important for ME to report it, because sites swarm on to the stories of dead celebrities the way that buzzards swarm onto the bodies themselves.  They don’t even wait for them to get cold, “Breaking News is Breaking News!“  People will always get information like this, because it’s posted everywhere.  Today, however, I fear that the loss of  such a vital entity in the music world may risk being overshadowed by something as trivial and worthless as an award show.

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