Star Wars (with original lyrics)

"They've got us on the run, with guns..and knives! We're fighting for our lives!"

I really like the end titles to the original Casino Royale--the lyrics to the song are such an afterthought to the instrumental arrangements that's it's like a weird joke--like they're supposed to be terrible. So they're great!

TV Theme Shows! shouted Beebo

This is a version with lyrics of the popular theme to this 70s British cop show:


Can you think of more instrumental TV themes with vocals added later? Here's a hot one:

I'm glad he finally made some friends!

SuperBowl FEVER! part two

Well, I promised you more Superbowl special treats, and I think I've really outdone myself this time. I've obtained a super-secret reel of the much-anticipated commercials to be shown at this year's game. As you know, sponsors pay millions to get these things on the air, and a lot of people say it's the best part of the event. So enjoy this special treat while you can, before "The Man" takes it away!

Las Vegas insulted that Obama says people shouldn't blow all their money in Vegas

..because, obviously, that's the best way to spend your money when you need to pay your mortgage or save up for college tuition.

Obama responds to ire over 2nd anti-Vegas remark

By OSKAR GARCIA, Associated Press Writer

LAS VEGAS – President Barack Obama is known for having a way with words, but some lawmakers from Nevada wish he would pipe down about trips to Sin City. After sparking a firestorm of criticism from Nevada's elected officials for suggesting that people saving money for college shouldn't blow it in Las Vegas, Obama told U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in a letter that he wasn't saying anything negative about Las Vegas.

It was the second time since taking office that Obama singled out Las Vegas as a potential example of spending excessively.

"I was making the simple point that families use vacation dollars, not college tuition money, to have fun," Obama said, according to the letter released by Reid's office. "There is no place better to have fun than Vegas, one of our country's great destinations."

Obama said he always enjoys his visits to Las Vegas.

A White House spokesman referred to Obama's letter to Reid and said the administration had no further comment.

Perception and reputation are sensitive issues for Sin City as it struggles to find footing amid a two-year meltdown of foreclosures, bankruptcies and unemployment. Tourism is the Silver State's backbone, and several lawmakers said they were shocked that Obama singled out Las Vegas again after commenting last February that bailed-out banks shouldn't go to Las Vegas using taxpayer money.

"When times are tough, you tighten your belts," Obama said, according to a White House transcript of his appearance Tuesday at a high school in Nashua, N.H.

"You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage," Obama said. "You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college. You prioritize. You make tough choices."

The comments quickly sparked a flurry of reaction in the Silver State, which supported Obama in the 2008 election. Nevada had an unemployment rate of 13 percent in December.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said during a hastily called news conference that Obama is no friend to Las Vegas and would not be welcomed here if he visits.

"I'll do everything I can to give him the boot," Goodman said. "This president is a real slow learner."

TV nostalgia

Remember coming home from school as a kid and sitting down in front of the TV with a croque-monsieur and glass of wine to enjoy the adventures of Thierry la Fronde?

Don Doolittle, Actor with Minimal CV

Beebo and I were watching Hawaii Five-O last night (as is our wont), and in the middle of one scene, I had to pause the DVD and say "Hey, it's that guy!". It was an episode titled "Highest Castle, Deepest Grave", ostensibly guest-starring Herbert Lom and Frances Nguyen, but the actor who caught my attention was Don G. Doolittle, playing a district attorney. I recognized him almost immediately as the scientist (the one with the beard in the photos) from one of our favorite movies, Creation of the Humanoids. You can watch it here, or read about it here.

I got curious about Don's career, since I'd seen him in two very different vehicles, so I looked him up in IMDB. It turns out, I've seen three of his four credited roles--the third was the movie Hawaii, which I watched on cable a couple of weeks ago. Sadly, I did not spot him there, and since the movie was three hours long, I'm not going to watch it again for his small cameo. He also appears (uncredited) in an Ernie Kovacs comedy called Wake Me When It's Over, from 1960.

It's easy to guess a little about him--he did a little acting and then moved to Hawaii, ending up in the small pool of available professional actors there. But what did he do for a living the rest of the time? Run a shop? Work in a hotel? Bum around on the beach?
Update: Gee, I think this might be him, too: "The narrator, Don Doolittle, was a 1940's radio announcer." Captain Bill is definitely played by D.D.! (I listened)
Update Two: What the hell??? He lives in western Washington State now. How weird! Hope you're doing well, Don!

Superbowl FEVER!

I know you're as excited about the upcoming Superbowl XVIIICMVIIV as I am--we're all looking forweird to the epic match between that really great team and that bunch of losers (how the hell did they get there?). So this week I'll be doing a special tribute to America's favorite 5-hour event. I've gotten special preview footage fo the halftime act, and they're as awesomely rocking as you remember them. Enjoy!

Foulard will be back right after this important message...