The New Orleans weather yo-yo has us in its clutches. One day it’s bloody cold, the next it’s warm and humid, then it’s cold again. Since it’s December, I’ll take chilly. Do the weather sprites know it’s the age of chaos? Discuss amongst yourselves.

Thus far, the immigration raids in South Louisiana seem to be a bust. There have even been complaints from the Republican Lt. Gov Billy Nungesser. It’s a good sign: Billy blows with the wind. The prevailing breeze is not from Trumpistan. The Gret Stet of Louisiana *used* to be a purple state, so I can dream. For a better informed opinion, read this piece from the Louisiana Illuminator’s Greg LaRose.

I remain in the throes of a Band bender. Hence the theme song. I’m compulsive that way.

Robbie Robertson wrote Twilight in 1976 as a non-album single. It subsequently appeared as an extra track on several albums including The Best of The Band and Islands. It features one of Rick Danko’s finest vocals and that’s saying a lot.

We have three versions of Twilight for your listening pleasure: The Band studio OG, Rick Danko live, and Shawn Colvin.

We have two more songs of the same title by ELO and Elliott Smith:

We begin our second act with a segment about the Max Ernst of American movies, David Lynch.

2025 Was David Lynch is a fine piece in the New Yorker by Jessica Winter about the surrealist director. Winter believes that this year has been so weird that it was the closest thing IRL to a Lynch film. I concur.

For the details, click here.

Michael Douglas In The Cuckoo’s Nest: I’ve long been an One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest fan. I loved the book, saw the play with the fine Bay Area actor Peter Donat, and was thrilled by Jack Nicholson’s brilliant performance in the movie. Cuckoo’s Nest landed at number two in the Jack Nicholson Dozen.

Kirk Douglas owned the film rights to Cuckoo’s Nest but couldn’t get the backing for a film starring him as McMurphy. It’s a pity because he was perfect for the part.

Kirk turned over the rights to his son Michael who got the film made because of his star. Jack Nicholson was at the peak of his stardom and everything with Jack in it got financed in the Seventies. The result was an artistic and commercial triumph that swept the Oscars.

Michael Douglas was known as a TV actor back then, so his emergence as a producer elevated his profile in the film industry and with his movie star father. And Kirk Douglas was not easily impressed.

Michael Douglas recently sat for an interview with The Guardian’s David Smith about One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. The film turned fifty this year. Talk about making me feel old.

The last word of our second act goes to Genesis:

We begin our third act with our favorite stolen feature.

Separated At Birth Casting Edition: I wrote about A Very Royal Scandal this week. Here’s Adrastos crush Ruth Wilson with Emily Maitlis who conducted the royal interview heard round the world:

I also wrote about Scoop. Long time Adrastos crush Gillian Anderson played Maitlis.

I’m not sure I crushed that segment about my crushes. In case I didn’t, here’s a song with crush in the title.

Your Basic Basie: Let’s get fancy with Bill Basie or is that fawncy?

Have I told you lately how much I love Count Basie?

The Best Of All In The Family: A clip featuring Rob Reiner, Sally Struthers, and Carroll O’Connor.

Mike Stivic lives.

Classic Movie Trailer:  It’s just another day in the loony bin for Jack Nicholson and the gang.

Grading Time: I give One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest 4 stars and an Adrastos grade of A. It’s a stone cold classic.

Saturday GIF Horse: There are a bunch of GIFs showing Bad Santa boozing. In this one, he’s imbibing whiskey, not vodka. Have I told you lately how much I hate vodka?

Toon Time: In which former Picayune cartoonist Mike Luckovich poses the eternal question: Does Trump have a soul?

— Mike Luckovich (@mluckovich.bsky.social) 2025-12-16T20:12:09.012Z

Sanity Check: The Insult Comedian’s post about Rob Reiner’s slaying was so horrible that even Gret Stet Senator John Neely Kennedy was appalled.

Like Nungesser, Neely blows with the wind. The prevailing breeze seems to be from a saner place than Trump World.

Let’s close down this virtual honky tonk with some more music.

Saturday Closer: I’m not sure how long this Sinatra-Crosby holiday special will remain embedded. Watch it while you can.

That’s all for this week. The last word goes to Jack Nicholson and his merry band of madmen.