Essays, Interviews, Observations, Pop Culture, Stories, and other Dodginess

Posts from the “Film/TV” Category

Should I Be In Love with Ariel Tweto?

Posted on May 21, 2012

She shares the same name as a mermaid princess. She’s a cross-country runner and was on her co-ed high school wrestling team. She’s learning to fly. She eats seal tongue, or flipper, or something like that. She bought a kilt in Scotland. She’s Ariel Tweto, and should I be in love with her? I first took notice of Ariel on the Discovery show Flying Wild Alaska. I saw her take flying lessons. Would I fly the Alaskan skies with her? Eventually, sure. But for now I’d instead share with her an Anchorage hot tub. Last week Ariel was one of Craig Ferguson’s guests during his The Late, Late Show’s journey to Scotland. One of the trip’s highlights was the episode where Ariel and fellow…

10-foot rooster odd choice for Chicago late night

Posted on May 13, 2012

File this in the “Are you fecking kidding me?” drawer. Apparently a late night TV talk show will debut in Chicago this September. Supposedly the sidekick to host Michael Essany (remember him?) is a 10-foot animatronic rooster. Because a 10-foot rooster is the obvious choice when it comes to late night television in Chicago, right? I’m all for ridiculous ideas, and whatever stoner came up with this idea in the meeting might be a genius in himself. But is the show in Chicago or Farmville? The Show It’s going to on WJYS. I’m in Chicago and I’m not even sure what that is. Although creative has a way of coming out more in these smaller-type stations then the local affiliates of the major networks.…

Goodbye Marilyn, Hello…Mother of Dragons?

Posted on April 30, 2012

That statue of Marilyn Monroe on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue will be gone next week. From the Trib article: “The arrival of Forever Marilyn caused a stir among local critics, with some arguing that groups of  onlookers taking pictures with her exposed legs was a throwback to sexist times.” Oh my! Pictures with exposed legs! Is that not normal? I do that with the waitresses at Tilted Kilt every time I’m there. Anyway. Like some others, I thought it was odd to have her statue there in the first place. Didn’t get the Chicago connection. So I’ve come up with some replacement statues to stand in her soon-to-be former spot in Pioneer Square. Some have Chicago ties, some don’t (hey if they can do it…