We finally had some cooler weather in New Orleans this week courtesy of a cold front and Hurricane Ian. Do I have survivor’s guilt? Hell no, it was our turn in the barrel last year. I have, however, developed a dislike of hurricane names with 3 letters than begin with I.
I had mild side effects from getting jabbed the other day. The pattern seems to be that if you had a reaction from previous jabs, you will from a booster too. My side effects have lessened with each jab. This time just some tiredness, a sore arm, and the dizziness that’s characterized each jab. A small price to pay.
This week’s theme song was written by Carole King for her monster hit album, Tapestry. It was performed at Michael Homan’s memorial service.
We have three versions of So Far Away for your listening pleasure: the Carole King original, Jerry Butler, and Carole and JT live.
There is, of course, another well-known song of the same title. It was the Saturday Odds & Sods theme song on 10/14/2017:
One thing I miss about the old format is the jump. I got to make a jump joke every Saturday. I guess a jump song will just have to do.
The music of Jethro Tull will be featured in this week’s Sunday Dozen.
We begin our second act with a segment about one of the most socially aware professional athletes ever.
Viva Clemente: Pittsburgh Pirates superstar Roberto Clemente was a mensch. Adversity and bigotry only made him stronger. There’s a fine piece by Peter Dreier at TPM Cafe about Clemente’s life and legacy. He was the rare superstar who was a better person off the field than on. Who’s going to write an ode to Tom Brady?
We’re still stuck in the Seventies with our next segment.
MASH AT 50: Typing asterisks reminds me of a certain criminal president* so MASH it is. It was a sly social satire masquerading as a period piece. Set during the Korean War but about Vietnam when that conflict was still raging. The actor’s hair said it all: it’s the Seventies, baby.
There’s a swell remembrance of this teevee classic by the NYT’s James Poniewozik. Check it out to read about the antics of Hawkeye and the gang. Meatball surgery rocks.
It’s also the 50th anniversary of Exile On Main St. The last word of our second act goes to the Rolling Stones:
Now that we’ve gotten our rocks off, we begin our third act with our favorite stolen feature.
Separated At Birth: This week, ELO frontman Jeff Lynne and a dog with sunglasses.
Sorry for the product placement. Hopefully, this ELO classic will make you forget it.
Still can’t get it out of your head? It may be time to see a shrink.
The Movie List: I compiled this list last week, then put it on the back burner because of all that was going on. It should reheat well.
The Movies With Shrinks Dozen
- Dressed To Kill
- The Sixth Sense
- Spellbound
- Three Faces Of Eve
- Equus
- Whirlpool
- Analyze This
- Good Will Hunting
- Now Voyager
- Ordinary People
- The Dark Past
- The Hidden Room/Obsession
If you object to the term shrink, tough. In the immortal words of David Letterman, it’s just a joke. More about Dave in a second.
George Strait is on Team Shrink as well:
The Best Of Letterman: It’s time for a new feature. I doubt if the good people at SCTV will object to my switching from Canadian to Hoosier jokes, eh.
Here’s a clip from Late Night wherein Dave chats with Fred Rogers. It could be called The Misanthrope Meets The Optimist:
I’m not sure where the idea for this next bit came from. I don’t remember dreaming about Candice Bergen’s father Edgar and her dummy brother.
Saturday GIF Horse: I don’t recall if Miss Piggy flirted with Charlie McCarthy when he was on The Muppet Show. He did have a close encounter with Kermit and a blue beastie.
Tweet Of The Week: Jim Cantore is 58 years old. Too damn old for this sort of Jimfoolery.
Ian’s winds and record storm surge pose a dangerous threat for those living along Florida’s west coast, as well as for those covering this monster storm. @JimCantore of the @weatherchannel experienced the dangers of covering a storm this large firsthand in Punta Gorda. pic.twitter.com/OlEWaNNTYT
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) September 28, 2022
The malakatude, it burns.
Let’s close down this virtual honky tonk with some more music.
Saturday Classic: Pink Floyd regrouped for a benefit show in 2005. The Gilmour-Waters feud is not in evidence but Roger has always been and always will be a malaka.
That’s all for this week. The last word goes to Matty Alou, Manny Mota, Roberto Clemente, and Willie Stargell of the 1966 Pittsburgh Pirates.
