Friday, December 23, 2016

Funday Friday: #59--The Late Cindy Stowell, Jeopardy! Champion



Hi, everyone and welcome to Funday Friday (and Happy Holidays to you all).

Today's edition is a little solemn indeed, but I'd like to take a more light-heated and heartwarming side to life stories that have moments like them.

This is Cindy Stowell. She's a 41-year-old science content developer from Austin, Texas.



One of her life-long dreams is to appear on quiz-based game show Jeopardy!. And when she finally succeed earlier this year, it seemed like the sky's the limit for this -native. She appeared on Jeopardy! last week and dominated the show at all fronts, even with come-from-behind wins. Unfortunately, her appearance carried a major life-crippling crutch. Previously, Cindy was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon Cancer, with doctors revealing that she has only only months to live.
So, Cindy knew she needed to live the end of her life the best way she could: as a contestant on Jeopardy!

During her appearances on the iconic quiz-based game show hosted by the equally-iconic Alex Trebek, she went episode after episode sweeping through the three similarly-named rounds, correctly answering questions--or in the case of this show (whose rules should be enforced or you will get frowned upon hard by fans and the host itself) questioning answers, securing Daily Doubles and finding success on Final Jeopardy! (whether getting the question right or wrong with the right amount of money scored to win the game). And boy, did she make an impression. As she fought hard to secure her championship, I (along with millions of viewers) was glued in amazement. And during her Championship reign, she racked up a LOT--earning $105,803
(Add into the brilliant, majestic, breathtaking into for Season 33 and the current version that just makes you tingle and tear up every time you hear it and we were in for a fantastic experience.

In fact, had you not known of Cindy's condition, she would've been just another ordinary (yet extraordinary) Jeopardy! contestant/Champion. Cindy didn't tell anyone outside her family about her condition (with Trebek and several producers and staffers being the exceptions), as she didn't want to make a media spectacle of the situation. She later revealed her terminal illness after her reign ended.

Even though I knew that she would become Champion, how long her reign would last and that she passed months after (just days before her episodes aired), I watched with fresh eyes seeing how AMAZING she was at her podium. Her voice was meek and cracking, but sounded beautiful and sweet, like a bluejay. Her disposition was simply adorable. And her brainpower was on overdrive. You knew she meant business. And as a one human being seeing her win six times, I almost lost my composure and felt extremely proud of her.

After her Jeopardy! reign and illness made national news, hearts across the nation (mine included) broke and then mended and warmed for her. When I heard of the story, I felt ready to cry all throughout Cindy's journey, and when she passed away. And her donations to cancer research was beautiful.

After her passing on December 5th, Jeopardy! paid tribute to Miss Stowell on its December 21st broadcast.

...and released this heartwarming video on its social media accounts.


Cindy Stowell is a true inspiration to anyone going through life's true tribulations to reach and achieve their dreams. Congratulations to her on realizing her dream and beating six other people to become six-time Jeopardy! Champion. My condolences to her family and friends.
May she rest in peace...

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Lena Dunham Wishes She Had an Abortion. I Wish She WAS One


I'll let you in on something: I hate Lena Dunham. And she's a dumb cunt.
She tries to be a bastion of women's rights and acceptance of gender equality, but ends up putting her fat foot in her big-ass mouth every time.

The latest example is from this week (link to Yahoo article) where--in an episode of her podcast Women of The Hour where she and her guests discussed the topic of abortion, Dunham brings up a story of her visit to a Planned Parenthood location and sits next to a young girl who is visiting for a school project on women surviving after abortions.
This was her story:

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Remembering Veteran Journalist Gwen Ifill


2016 has continued its strengthening as the worst year for the deaths of well-known, famous and beloved people in the worlds of entertainment and news. And the latest casualty of which is (in the opinion of mine and many others inside and outside the field) one of the very best reporters in news. Veteran journalist Gwen Ifill passed away yesterday afternoon after a long-fought battle with uterine cancer; she was 61 years young.

She was a wonderful journalist through and through. After beginning her career in print as a reporter for the Boston Herald--later moving on in later years to positions at the Baltimore  the Washington Post and the New York Times, she took her talents to television, beginning as correspondent for NBC News. After an illustrious and storied tenure, she left the Peacock Network' News division in 1999, transferring to PBS to become moderator and managing editor of the network's long-running political discussion program Washington Week, and later became co-anchor and co-managing editor (along with fellow news vet and Peeb colleague Judy Woodruff) of the PBS NewsHour in 2013 (she was previously senior correspondent of the program) until her untimely passing.
Ms. Ifill has also appeared on other news programs including NBC's Meet the Press, and was a member of the board at several news-related associations. She was a busy woman and I will forever admire her for that.

When I first heard the news later that night, I was stunned speechless. I was away from my phone at the time (needed to let it charge) and had no idea. I was even more stunned that it was first reported hours ago, but still stinged nonetheless. During coverage of the National Conventions back in July, she looked beautiful and healthy like she never even had fought cancer. Then again that was months ago, and I haven't seen her since October; I thought she went on vacation or on assignment. I was wrong. When it was mentioned on the NewsHour that she was ill, I thought it was temporary. Again, wrong. Sadly. The fact that this came so suddenly hit me (and everyone else who knee her) like a brick wall.
Gosh, she will be missed.

While I've never known or met Ms. Ifill personally, her work in television news has astonished and inspired me to say the least. I've watched the NewsHour since I was in elementary school starting with the era hosted by Jim Lehrer (another amazing vet in news) and has consistently watched ever since for fantastic long-form reporting, interviews with the newsmakers of the day and to enjoy watching the anchors at work (especially Ms. Ifill). (And yes, this is the same kid who loved watching ZOOM, Arthur and Cyberchase among others during the day. So I'm wasn't all the way an Alex P. Keaton-like square.) The cast brought top-notch reporting and a refreshing sense of news every day and I was lucky to have watched as long as I did.

While I enjoyed watching her work on TV, I never realized what Ms. Ifill was at the start of her career under the surface. She was a true trailblazer and ground-breaker; not only for women, but also for African-Americans and African-American women. She was one of the first black women to work at a major network news division and helped lead the way for more black women in the industry for decades. As we have many African-American women--and of other ethnicities--grace our screens over the past few decades, she was still there forging a path for herself to still become of the the best. But she was a was a kind-hearted and gentle person. Despite her sweet side, she still was a tough-but-fair, no-nonsense reporter who wanted the truth and an honest answer for the people and won't stand for anything else. For proof, here is video of a roundtable discussion on Meet The Press she took part in in which she had to raise her voice to get on the level as her male counterparts.
Talk about a tough cookie who kicked butt.

Honestly, this woman is what all journalists (male and female) should look up to for real, honest, open and brilliant reporting and an iron-clad love and willingness for the job. She was a shining star of television news at a time where there were still many and jas always stood out from her white, male, testosterone-filled counterparts.

Gwen Ifill was luminary and icon in the world of television journalism, and none in the future will even come close to touch what she brought to the (round)table. She will be missed, and my love and condolences to her family and her extended families at the PBS NewsHour & Washington Week.
May she Rest in Peace...(and Power...)

Wednesday, November 02, 2016

"The Picketers are Being Assholes": The Broad Street (Line) Bullies | SEPTA Strike 2016

So...SEPTA is not treating its unionized workers well. They're going to picket for better use of paychecks. And no one in Philadelphia wins. Must be Fall in Philly!


Welcome, everyone . Today I'm talking about the Strike of unionized workers working for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority--SEPTA for short. This is because these workers are being fairly treated by their supervisors at the agency--specifically much better pay, better pensions and other benefits.


Now here's my thoughts on this:
SEPTA is not a great transit agency. They're not even good. From what I hear, they suffer from underdeveloped service (see SEPTA Key), lackluster showmanship, slow wait-times for transport, greedy overseers and disgusting waiting stations across parts of the Philly metro area. But in my eyes, they're...alright. I generally enjoy riding their vehicles, I get to and from my locations on acceptable speed and timeline and enjoy seeing the people and place around me wherever I go. So...I agree with all who think they need to shape up and fix most of everything on their many payrolls to stop being one of the worst agencies taking people around in this country.


But down to this year's Strike: this couldn't come at a worse time. With Election Day looming--and many Philadelphians needing a way besides cars and carpooling to get to voting stations, and of course many of us needing ways to get to work, school and other places across town, picketing has made our daily routines hell. And honestly, it really sucks, but because I don't ride SEPTA too often, it can't be much of my problem, because I usually walk to where I need to go. But for other people, this is just ridiculous and a waste of their important time. I would want a better transit system from the inside out for everyone as much as the next guy, so changes should be made to SEPTA management soon.


But making this even worse, is that the Workers and their union is taking their picketing to a new low: going to the Regional Rail stations and blocking the trains and non-union workers from getting to them and riders who actually have places to get to. That is some bullshit.
In my opinion, The Picketers are being Assholes. Apparently, they believe that since they're on strike, no one should get better treatment than they do, and so everyone has to suffer. But I hate to break it to you guys: NO ONE BUT YOU IS ON STRIKE! THEY HAVE ACTUAL OTHER JOBS THEY WORKED HARD FOR AND NEED TO GET TO! AND THE FACT YOU ARE DISALLOWING EVERYONE ELSE FROM SIMPLY DOING SO, MAKES ALL YOU WORKERS LOOK LIKE PETTY, CHILDISH, GREREDY, CONCEITED, HYPOCRITICAL, BULLYING TAINT LICKS!!
It's bad enough that you chose the day a week before one of the most important, yet feared and unwanted Elections in US history to start grabbing signs and wearing shirts in the cold wanting more pay (not more pay, better pay.)  and more pensions (which IMO is a more reasonable argument), but to blockade trains and their workers from
I would say "run them over" like some other dipshits in comments sections all across local news station websites articles featuring this dumb strike, but these people have jobs, families and lives to live for. Taking them just to continue our day makes you just as bad as they are. (And if you're just as bad as SEPTA workers on strike, you've fucked up.)


So, SEPTA workers, do us all a favor and be reasonable while sticking to your guns to make your heightened pay a thing. Until then, screw off for making us all go down with you being the scumbags you all are. SEPTA, screw you until you actually become something we can all tolerate (which will take years, maybe decades). And city of Philadelphia, chin up. This Strike could be all over before you know. The last one in 2009 took six days until a deal was reached; I'm sure this one will last as long, if not less (hopefully). If not, prepare for a living nightmare that will end with a burning, stinging pain that is a union ruining daily transit life for all of us because they still aren't satisfied with the decrepit benefits they so longingly "fought" for, thanks to an equally terrible agency that would put their earnings money over our needs of getting around safely.
God, are we f**ked.

"Harvey Beaks" is Ending

I know, I'm a little late but...

Harvey Beaks...is ending.
And...I'm okay with this. Not exactly all the way happy, but okay nonetheless.

The announcement was made during an interview creator CH Greenblatt did on RebelTaxi's Pizza Party Podcast in September, in which he would not continue the series for a third season. The reveal is at 32:55 (it's best to start a little earlier.)


I've always prepared myself for when an animated series ends after a short run, but then end up close to a blubbering mess anyway. But soon after, I smile and look back on how great that series is and how lucky I was to have watched it for as long as I have. And Harvey was one of those series.

My opinion about The Beaks has stayed the same since I reviewed it last year. It's simply a wonderful creation of animation that has stood out among the rest. And there was a lot of amazing new programs that we all loved, so that says a lot. The setting, plots, characters and production was something else because of how lush, smooth, off-beat and mellow it looked and felt. Everything matched the others in the tone it set for, with took it far away from Nick's other offerings, which was the biggest breath of fresh air I could take in these days. And I miss that.

When I first heard that Harvey was ending, I was shocked and a little hurt inside. I felt it could go on another season, but hey, it's not my show, so my opinion in that regard doesn't count. Then I heard that the decision to end it was of creator CH Greenblatt. I sighed a sigh of relief now knowing he  wanted to end it, not Nick. But alas, it still stings me.

While I've heard  about the halt of production in general, I haven't heard of many other stories in the writer's room about how Nick has treated Harvey. After Nick took new episodes of The Beaks off the air in Spring of last year (along with those of other originals), many fans were pissed. Automatic assumptions of poor treatment--or even cancellation--have flooded social media for weeks, especially on Tumblr, where CH and the writers frequent. I myself haven't noticed because I haven't watched much live TV in quite a while and I haven't been through Tumblr either. I wish I should have though. Anyway...
CH has later reassured fans that it wasn't the case; even going as far as calling it "a disservice from the truth". In a post on Tumblr, he explained:
"Everyone remain calm. We’re not off the air. And it’s not just us getting this treatment. They stopped all premieres (animation and live action) except Pig, Goat, Banana, Cricket for the summer. Hopefully they’ll re-run the show so folks can become more aware of it in the meantime. We should be back with a big push come late summer/early fall.
We’re not thrilled about this, but we’re still making episodes full steam ahead and I promise they will get out there eventually."
Even if he is just as annoyed about the rumors and stuff as we all were, I find Carl's open honesty and happy reassuring palpable and refreshing. Seeing him so true to his fans while not browbeating anyone was kinda sweet.

I'm so very happy we all got the chance to see this man's second creation; it was just as unique, inventive, hilarious, visually pleasing and memorable as his last Chowder. I'm really eager to see where CH goes next. He's a great storyteller and producer that's had his dues, and deserves all the success he's gotten over the years.

Harvey Beaks is one of the best Nick shows today and deserved its praise and respect. Especially as Nick has gone through a bit of resurgence lately, as this, Pig Goat Banana Cricket (IMO) and The Loud House have given the Splat a much-needed shot in the arm in term of animated series, along with the upcoming and highly-anticipated Hey Arnold! and Rocko's Modern Life movies, along with. Nick is on a nice roll right now, and it's all thanks to this series.
Thank you everyone at Harvey Beaks for everything.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Shepard Smith Reveals He's Gay













Hey, everyone.
You know that one person at Fox News that you actually like? Yeah, No, Maybe so...Why? Well, here's one that I like: Shepard Smith. He's funny, witty, sensible, smart, cool and a really good (if not very good) journalist. Oh yeah, and--as revealed yesterday, he's gay.
Smith revealed his coming out in an interview with The Huffington Post in response to years of allegations that he was really truly not straight (after all, he has been featured on the Power 50 list by Out Magazine at that time then) as well--in turn--as years of rumors that former CEO of Fox News Roger Ailes showed antipathy towards his sexuality and tried to keep him from opening the door the public to advance the network's front as an clean All-American news network.

The quote:
“No, never. He treated me with respect, just respect,” He said. “I wasn’t new in the business when I came here ― I’d been doing reporting for 12 years ― but I wasn’t old in it either, and he gave me every opportunity in the world and he never asked anything of me but that we get it right, try to get it right every day. It was a very warm and loving and comfortable place.”

To be honest, this was a shock to me. In the years I've watched Fox News (on-and-off of course) I've never noticed him as anything other than a broadcast journalist that was seemingly straight as an arrow, married to a woman with kids, loves the long hair and boobies. And I've never even heard of the rumors of him being gay until now. But then again, I also once thought that Superman was real, McDonald's was the best food ever and Batman & Robin was one of the most kickass movies ever. (Clearly, I'm not the best at seeing into things under a microscope.) But enough about last year...

This news came out like a true bombshell and I thought this was just clickbait the afternoon I read about it. And considering that Fox News Channel is extremely well-known for Christian-bred, All-American, clean-and-civil, no-new-religion-or-sexuality, "Will someone please think of the children" attitudes and values in its programming and reporting (you know, bullshit), you honestly can't blame me.
But since this is Shep Smith, one of the few Fox News personalities that many people besides it's demographic (decrepit white OAPs) truly like and respect, coming out (and still probably having a job there)--especially at a time when the most crazy, out-of-left-field mind-fuck of an election season is still ongoing (as of posting this), this was super big to everyone. But...I don't mind it at all. For him to make such a huge bold leap to come out (especially on FUCKING FOX NEWS in 2016) doesn't make a big deal me concurrently. Sure it feels like all this makes him like a WWE face: awesome, entertaining, kickass, badass and with adoring fans watching every week. (Hell, even before this, he's just like that.) but, I didn't feel shocked for hours on end. I just read an article (at HollywoodLife of all places!), reacted a bit to it and moved on with my day. Other things were on my mind. So I applaud him for coming out.

As for the part about Alies treating Shep with respect as a journalist, I respect him for it. I still hate his guts after his sexual harassment scandal, but treating him as a person (let alone a journalist) instead of someone who he and most definitely the viewers as something he truly shouldn't be really gives him an ounce of respect from me. An OUNCE... That fucker is still scumbag for that scandal.

Even if he looks more hetero than Brian Kilmeade, Steve Doocy, Bill Hemmer or that fucking annoying and asine blowhard Sean Hannity, it's still something that no one seen coming (like a true promo made to turn that face into a heel) and will change a lot at Fox forever. And speaking of heel, I have a big feeling that a lot of Faux Noise's audiencd will see the newly-homosexual Shepard "Pie" Smith, and think of him as a heel they never dreamed of: evil, cunning, manipulative, bad at jokes and wearing a lot of leather...and ruining the news of Trump whining about the Presidential race being against him and what Obama is up to under taxpayers' money with his "f@#&¤+" face. Oh, Fox News audience...you people make me sick.

Maybe he might get demoted or outright fired sometime later in the future or the execs will support him in PR mode and THEN demote him or or outright fire him quietly sometime later in the future. There are new execs there and changes are probable so Who knows? Until then, congrats to Shep for coming out. I'm not as celebratory as a lot of people are now, but this is worth clapping into thin air for.
And Shep, keep up the good work. And I mean real good work from that goofy SS Enterprise ripoff set called the Fox News Deck, not the crap almost all the other ones are doing.

(Alright, just because he's gay doesn't mean I like him. I've liked him a lot way before then.)

Monday, October 10, 2016

Bye Bye Bushy: Billy Bush Suspended from "Today" INDEFINITELY after Trump's "Grab Em by the Pμ$$y" debacle


Lemme tell you something. Back when this guy was a co-host on Access Hollywood, I kinda liked him. He was talented, likable, smooth and knew how to report the entertainment news stories (no matter how stupid) in his own way. Hell, I'll even admit, I never knew he was a member of the almighty stupid Bush family. But ever since (or maybe even before) Billy Bush made the move to New York and began working at Today,  I've liked him a lot less.

When he fell for the bullshit lie told by national idiot of the moment Ryan Lochte after Lochte's drunken vandalism at a local gas station during the Rio Summer Olympics--and tried to pass it off as an "embellishment", my likeness towards Bush plunged to outright dislike. And his argument with co-host Al Roker after the fact (especially after telling Al to calm down) dropped a bit more to contempt. It's since then that I wished he'd be fired or at least suspended for not dishing out the verbal ass-whupping Lochte deserved and standing by his fib that threw the Today show (and NBC by extension) into embarrassment and dislike (and just of the many in recent years).

And it seemed like it all would blow away for Bush so he can go back to what he loves to do (or got paid a boat-load of money to do)...
That is until last Friday when a video was leaked showing Bush and (surprise surprise) Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump caught on hot mic (a term for "mics left on") spouting crude remarks about women; this video took place in 2005 when Bush was co-host of Access Hollywood and Trump was host of then-NBC-hit The Apprentice.

Here is the video, as released by The Washington Post, in all it's gross-y glory:

Okay...
Here's the most notable of Trump's words:
"I better use some Tic Tacs just in case I start kissing her. You know I'm automatically attracted to beautiful ... I just start kissing them," he told Bush. "It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the p---y."

The remarks from both "men" were just trash from start to finish.
I'll get to Bush in a moment.

When I thought Trump said everything during his campaign run that'll make eveyone blush, angry and vomit, I was wrong. Funnily enough, these words here way before even his first Presidential campaign attempt. But all the same, it's still disgusting. The "Nancy" comments (of course referring to Bush's former co-host Nancy O'Dell; she left AH in 2009 to host Entertainment Tonight) were just sickening, not only because O'Dell was married (as well as Trump himself, as he married current wife Melania months earlier) but also because of the "grab 'en by the pμ$$y" line, which until now was a line I never thought I would hear out of someone's mouth (even after the start of being less prudish in my life). (Hell, not even an HBO show could have had this line written before). And the line about chomping down Tic-Tacs before trying to kiss her was just gross (no wonder they immediately denounced the controversy). No wonder he failed; he has no regard for personal space, tactfulness (apologies is that's not a word), women who are married to other men, women in general or respect towards anyone under the social and economical ladders. And his apology has no weight, honesty, legitimacy or substance. No one can accept that.

Honestly, though, all of this doesn't totally surprise me. Everything at this point of his campaign has killed my attempts at shock bit by bit. But what surprised me was that the people who supported him up to this point have finally dropped or rescinded their support. YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT THROUGH THE TIMES HE:
-PLANNED TO BUILD THAT WALL;
-BADMOUTHED A MUSLIM GOLD STAR FAMILY;
-CONTINUING HIS STUPIDLY SHIT-TALKING ROSIE O'DONNELL;
-BADMOUTHING FEMALE TV PERSONALITIES LIKE MEGYN KELLY (You remember "Blood coming out of her wherever");
-MOCK ANYONE (INCLUDING TED CRUZ'S FAMILY);
-EVERYTHING ABOUT NUCLEAR BOMBS AND WARS;
-TWEETED CORNY-ASS SMARTASS REMARKS LIKE AN 80S MIDDLE SCHOOL BULLY TO ANYONE HE CROSSES PATHS WITH ON TWITTER;
-AND MOST ESPECIALLY TO OPEN HIS MOUTH TO SPEW SEXIST, RACIST, HOMOPHOBIC, XENOPHOBIC AND ISLAMAPHOBIC STATEMENTS IN THE WORST WAYS POSSIBLE ON TV,
YOU STILL STOOD BY HIM THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN?!?! UNTIL AFTER THE 147TH TIME HE SAID DEPLORABLE REMARKS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT TOWARD WOMEN (THIS ONE ABOUT A FORGOTTEN SOAP OPERA STAR AND A POPULAR HOST OF AN ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM MOST PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT), YOU NOW DECIDE TO AT LEAST CUT DOWN YOUR SUPPORT OF HIM?!?! Just fuck off. You fucking people just disgust me.
But Trump's words still leave with a barrage of nothing, as his campaign continues to self-destruct even a several weeks before the General Election. So this is just Spring Cleaning for Hitler (or some shit) to me at this point.

As for Bush, being Trump's "wingman" throughout this ordeal was just pathetic. I don't care if he was a millionaire who would destroy him in some way later on, letting Trump get away with all that was not a good idea. And agreeing with it and adding his own words (like "Trump scored" after saying he'd take a run at "the girl in purple") was just distasteful. His line about getting Zucker to hug Trump was sad, but the line "How about a little hug for the Bushy?" was admittedly laughable.

Plus the fact that the girl in purple, soap opera star Arianne Zucker, was also married and in the same space as the two, who has now unfortunately also heard about this controversy. As well as O'Dell who now has to deal with a hot-mic video about being sexually harassed by her co-host and a creepy old lurch behind her back for the rest of her life.

And then there's people defending the two frat boys and their words by calling it "common locker-room talk". I may have been a kid back when I last went into a school locker room, but if you're openly willing to defend a man who said all he said ike the creepo pushing 60 that he is saying things like "run to her like a bitch", and "grab her by the pμ$$y", and another man for encouraging and agreeing to those words, fuck off. You're a fucking jackass who apparently accepts verbal mincemeat about sexual assault. I don't care if men have said things like this in locker rooms before! Saying sexually deplorable things about women is just plain bad (the same thing goes to women talking bad about men too). And forget free speech; free speech shouldn't excuse shit like this. Feee speech shouldn't be the response for "grab em by the pμ$$y" and things like that.

And don't even start about Bill Clinton. If/when evidence is released about him sexually aasaulting or downright raping women, I'll join the bandwagon and verbally shit on him. But until then, shut the fuck up about that.

It's good to see both women taking the high road by responding to the controversy with class and grace.
O'Dell said in a statement via ET's website:
"Politics aside, I’m saddened that these comments still exist in our society at all. When I heard the comments yesterday, it was disappointing to hear such objectification of women. The conversation needs to change because no female, no person, should be the subject of such crass comments, whether or not cameras are rolling. Everyone deserves respect no matter the setting or gender. As a woman who has worked very hard to establish her career, and as a mom, I feel I must speak out with the hope that as a society we will always strive to be better."
Wonderfully well-said.

Zucker also responded with this equally wonderful statement:
"I am a strong, independent, hard working mother, business woman and partner to a great man,” she wrote. “I have grown to learn that the words of others cannot effect the value of my self worth or define the content of my character. How we treat one another, whether behind closed doors, locker rooms or face to face, should be done with kindness, dignity and respect. Unfortunately, there are too many people in power who abuse their position and disregard these simple principles and are rewarded for it. In understanding the magnitude of this situation, I choose to stand tall with self respect and use my voice to enrich, inspire and elevate the best of who we are as people.

And so, I'm happy Bush is suspended, because any company who employs him should not be acceptable towards language like this. It hurts their ethics and is not a good look for them. Some people have said that's stupid (paraphrasing), but that's how business (especially regarding on-camera television) and NBC and Today cannot deal with any more drama this year alone.

As for Trump? He will not be president. He can fuck off. Old ass creep...

Friday, September 30, 2016

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: "My New Wand / Ludo in the Wild" (SEASON 2 PREMIERE)


Star vs. The Forces of Evil is back!!
Our favorite Fish out of Water and her long-suffering, but-always-by-her-side Guide-- have retuned for more adventures, misadventures, laughs, loves and whatever else.

So, here's where we left off last season (it seems like I need the catch-up more since I'm so late with these reviews);

Star Butterfly is of royalty; she is princess of the the kingdom in the faraway land of Mewni. On her 14th birthday, she is given a powerful royal wand by her parents, King and Queen Butterfly. But because of her behavior (as shown earlier, she's hyper, rambunctious and headstrong. Plus she fights monsters...which as it stands now, is a horrible, disgusting custom to all Mewnians), mom and dad send her to Earth as a training ground to control her powers and aditude before retuning home. After enrolling at Echo Creek Academy, she meets Marco Diaz, who (by the school's Principal Skeeves) is giving the task of watching over Star and helping her learn Earth customs. But in their wake are a sinister ... and his group of minions ready to fight for her Wand and take over the kingdom, Mewni itself and possibly the entire dimension. But, as all of Season 1 proved, Star had a lot learn about Earth and everything about it, and -with Marco by her side- she took up to the challenge and largely succeded--a new family, new friends, a love interest, prom night with the ex, lotsa new memories and a newfound life away from home. But with two evil forces in the wings to take over her wand and power, it was a tense battle for power that lead up to the final episodes and the finale, where Toffee took Ludo's empire, throwing him and Buff Frog out of his Castle and taking his henchmen with him. And his diabolical plan to take her wand ended in a shocking twist: Toffee didn't want the wand, but wanted Star to destroy it. But that lead to an explosive end (to Toffee and the henchnen), a bittersweet Starco reunion and a much sweeter payoff in respect from King and Queen Butterfly. But another shocker came at the very end when the Wand is cleaved in half. Leaving Star with half her power...and someone else in Mewni with the other half.

Now that  Season 1 is done, let's start Season 2! And let's get the Review started with Episode 1!!

Let's re-kick it off with...

"My New Wand!"

In it:
"Star must learn how to free Marco from a magically locked closet without using her new wand"

This episode was a really good start to the season with Starco becoming more and more closer through discovery, slight betrayal and new acceptance.

Star's Wand is pretty new, while worse for wear, and everything in Echo Creek is back in normalsville. That is until the Wand starts acting strange (reasonable side effect of it losing half its power).

Seeing conflict between Star and Marco felt real and kinda heartbreaking. Especially when Marc tried to learn Star. If anyone read my diary and leaened of my secret personal thoughts, I'd be close to killing them...

Random Thoughts:
-While we don't know and won't know Star's secret, you have to admit for a moment it was juicy to think about.
-It's great to see StarFan13 again! Her appearance makes me smile because of hoe chummy the two have become, despite that back in late late season 1, she was stalking her. Which "she" stalking "her"? Both.

-Glossaryk is back too! Back when he first appeared, I immediately fell in love with him. Now, my lovr has blossomed. He's still hilarious, still entertaining and still worth watching in each episode he appears in. Also he got a new place to sleep in a new tower in Star's Expansion Pack Bedroom. A nice-as-Heck upgrade from the Spellbook.

Fave Lines:
"...I almost died." -Star
(I know, it's kinda dark. But the way she says that makes me chuckle every time. Like when I rewind and it comes up again, chuckley chuckle!)
""
"Stop eating my flesh!" -Marco
(See note under first quote)

Again, great start to the season, great conflict, great resolution and great expansion to the Expansion.

---

You know? We haven't seen Ludo since his home was destroyed, his henchmen gone, his second-in-command become a stay-at-home dad and his eternal replacement disintegrated. What's he been up to. We're gonna find out in...

"Ludo in the Wild"


To be honest, I've missed Ludo. It's truly entertaining to see him and his minions try to steal Star's wand...and fail every time. Lots of things about him are memorable to me--his evil-ish plans, his obsession with Star and her wand, his gruff old gravely voice, his attire, his ugly bird face, his Dark and Dreary Castle and his

So fortunately, this episode wastes no time catching us up on what he's been up to lately. And it was HI-larious!

Trapped in a void in time and space for a seemingly infinite amount of time, Ludo prepares for eternal damnation via the void (and an easy free look at the stars; maybe he might take a look at the stars! Maybe he might glace the Big Dipper!)

A reach for a bag of chips and a striking meteor lead Ludo into a large wooded area, where he is put into an unknown and compromising situation that he cannot fix without magic.

For those three months, Ludo fought hard to survive in the wilderness: and as you watch his progress, he becomes a different being. During that time (despite being the villain and wanting to root against him), you feel sorry for him and start to root for him to fight the elements and creatures to come out on top! (or at least less scathed and scared). And when he does, and cheer him on, wide-eyed and grinning ear-to-ear. Seeing him fight with his mind and his hands to redemption felt amazing, palpable and fulfilling. And again, this is the villain.

And speaking of Fight, Ludo's match with the spider was fucking awesome! The fight itself (which was for the bag of chips), the tense twists and turns were heavy and the result--with Ludo winning and turning thr spider from his adversary to his pet was satisfyingly great.

In those 3+ months for him (or 11 minutes for us), Ludo went from a crazed, ditsy diminutive villain wannabe with an obsession with a royal teenager's powerful instrument--to a brilliant, fearless, powerful diminutive warrior who conquered the elements and made the creatures his royal subjects.

At this point on, Ludo is now the king of his own kingdom...thst is until he sees Star, and almost all of this is undone. That is...until he finds...the missing half of the power of the Magic Wand.
HOLY SHIT.
And...he was, this whole time...in Mewni.
HOLY. SHIT.

This episode...was spectacular.

The animation (even in it's soft, smooth, candy-coated state) was darkly riveting, the voice acting (mostly, but especially from Ludo's actor Alan Tudyk) was top-notch, the execution was perfect, the use of transitional cards was genius (as you see the number of days pass, it feels like you're suffering with Ludo during his rise to the bottom), and right there as he slides his way back to the top as cock of the walk. All of this made for an entertaining 11 minutes.

The use of minimal music in this (and I'm talking original music; the use of "Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2" by Frédéric Chopin doesn't count; although it's in) was fantastic! The two songs fit the scenes perfectly and added tension, suspense, action and gravitas to  the scenes and episode itself. Shout-out to composer Brad Brees for the amazing music in the ep (along with the compositions in previous episodes). Such exceptional talent.

Fave Moments:
-Ludo's internal monologue
-Ludo's reaching for the chips
-Ludo's entrance into the Wild Dimension
-LUDO'S BIG FIGHT TO THE DEATH WITH THE SPIDER
-Ludo's progression from Wimp to Warrior
-Ludo finding the cleaved Wand half

I cannot wait until the next episode to see where this goes from here. I'm biting my lips in anticipation!

Random Thoughts:
-After Eagle Drop #3, when Ludo's egg shell shorts breaks, I thought for a second that he'd end up naked.
The revelation that he was wearing a diaper this whole time was hilarious.
-During the Day 37 scene, when Ludo got under the spider, I thought for a second that it'll turn into a kid-friendly version of THAT scene from The Revenent. You KNOW THAT scene.
-Honestly this episode was like, a kid-friendly version of Naked and Afraid. Except he's wearing a diaper, sooo...
-When the transitional cue cards came on, I just think of the iconic soundbyte from Law & Order or the beeping byte from 24. Makes them more exciting, don't you think?
-you know what? Maybe Dating Naked, because the spider... Or, All in the Family. And Ludo is...Archie.
-if put in Ludo's situation, I'd rather just let the spider just eat me, as I have nothing else to live for... (well, except... :) this blog, of course! Heh-heh...hehhh)

So Ludo has a long way before he gets his vengeance on Starco for...changing his life for the better...? Ehh, who knows.

Oh yeah, THIS EPISODE WAS BALLS-OUT AMAZING!! We got to see our three favorite characters start up again with new adventures but with the same attitudes and behaviors (with changes more or less).

Both were a great watch, but my favorite has to be "Ludo in the Wild". Everything about it was just stupendous.

-The episodes are written and directed fantastically by co-writers, co-directors and co-storyboard artists Dominic Bisignano and Aaron Hammersley (along with creator Daron Nefcy [story creator] and Evon Freeman [storyboard artist]). Shout-out to everyone for putting together such a fantastic (and fantastical) episode.

Also, Shout-out to the new animation companies taking over production this season: SUGARCUBE Animation and Rough Draft Korea. The animation I've seen in episodes so far look great. They're much smoother, more fluid, more easy on the eyes and sugary and peppery as the show itself. Also, the latter studio worked on Gravity Falls, so automatically that's a plus (another plus, look at for subtle nods toward GF later on in this season. They're good fun).

What's your thoughts on the episode and what's to come in this season from here on out? Lemme know in the comments section below.

And also good fun is this season so far. I can't wait to share my excitement with you guys, as much as you guys can't wait for me to actually post. AND, to be serious for a minute, I've said "I'm sorry" to you more times than Justin Bieber hasn't, but I really mean "I'm sorry" for not posting these reviews earlier. I hope to do all I can to make it up to you next month. So more reviews a week throughout October--Maybe three to four. Hope you'll enjoy them.

See you then. For now, I'm Andrew saying "Reach for the Star, and Keep Looking Up!...at your TV screen."

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Regular Show is Ending



Everyone...One of Cartoon Network's best, brightest and most irreverent original series will shout one last "OOOOHHHH!". Regular Show is coming to an end.

As announced this morning
, Cartoon Network has announced that a ninth season will not happen, making its upcoming eigth (premiering on the 26th) the final season.

And during the final season, the cast is making a major move. After seven seasons of hijinks and slacking at the park, they've moved to an even bigger locale: SPAAACE! Why? I don't know. Here"s a sneak peek from CN's YT channel to possibly explain.


After this clip, a few questions are asked from me:
-How did the park crew end up off Earth?
-What's the big button?
-What will the guys (and Eileen) do to get back home?
-Where's Thomas? (uhh, nevermind; I understand.)

Seems like taking advantage of it being the final season to change up everything for better or worse, but I don't mind it at all. And I'm pretty excited to see where the (animated) crew goes from here and where the (real life) crew takes this new direction.

Because in my opinion, I'm happy the series is ending. It started out great; an amazing plot, original relatable characters, brilliantly off-the-wall storylines, cool unexpected twists and turns and memorable moments to talk about hours after. If the tagline before the premiere to this series was "It's Anything But", you better take it seriously. And boy was it.

Then in later seasons, the spark kinda fizzled, with plots not as great, moments that left you scratching your head, and characterizations that left a bad taste in your mouth. There were some great episodes in the mix, but by then the show we knew and loved had changed. Over 250 episodes across 8 seasons will do that to ya.

I've watched on and off since it debuted in September 2010 (along with the pilot on YouTube), which is still as hilarious now as it was then) and I've made it one of my must-watch. Since then, it (along with Adenture Time with Finn and Jake) helped revive Cartoon Network back to a venerable destination for great, bold animated series. I wouldn't know where CN would've been without it, but I know where it is now with it, and I (as well as the rest of us) am eternally grateful to it for leading the way.
I'm gonna miss this Show a lot, but I'm cery happy to see it end the way the producers intended it.

So...a big thank you to creator and EP JG Quintel, the cast, the crew and Cartoon Network for this series, its awesome characters, memorable moments and everything else that made us all go "OOOHHHH!" and "GOOD SHOW!" and "MY MOM!" and "YOU'RE FIRED!" (errh, or maybe not that last one). Thank you all, and jolly good show.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Toony + Tuesday * 2016: Peg + Cat


Hello there, everyone.
The last time I reviewed a show for little kids, it seemed like a one-time-only thing.
Nope. I'm going at it again.

This series is probably the most fun you'll ever have learning Math.
I'm an adult, and I'm proud to relearn Math from this.

It's Peg + Cat.



Created by Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson, the series features Peg--a sweet, optimistic little girl with a feast for solving Math; and Cat, her talking feline friend with a love for circles. Together, they trek on amazing Arithmetic adventures to help their friends solve their problems--along with themselves solving their own--by using and solving Math problems and equations, and at the same time, help the viewers learn simple math as well.

But I'm not talking a bit about this series because of its use of Math. But because of how inventive and creative it gets with it's use of Math.
-Starting with the intro and ending with the episode ending chat with the title characters, the animation changes with each episode. See episodes where Cat does something while Peg sings or a different thing appears behind them or a variation of the theme song. It's something that'll just blow your mind every time with how things change while others stay the same.

-The animation is fuzzy (thanks to Flash), but actually works very well. The characters, locations, buildings and colors look simple, but are still likable to the eyes. And the changing elements work towards its favor.

-Also, the songs and score are super catchy and will stay in your head for days. "Problem Solved" and "Splashing Some More" from The Bathroom segment are the major examples.

-Now to the episodes. Each episode has a fun story and even fun(ner) execution.
Peg and Cat are going about their day, when a problem arises. A character tells them about that problem, and it's up to our young heroes (yes, Cat too) to save the day by using Math to solve their friends' problems. Sometimes, they also get into Simple, right? Wrong. Take a look at one of my favorite episodes, "The Highlight Zone Problem", where Peg & Cat get into a funk when their world isn't as colorful as usual.
(starts at 12:58)


Besides the brilliant nods to The Twilight Zone (including the black and white setting, the strangeness of the predicament, and Ramone being a great stand-in of the late, great Rod Serling), this episode features elements of that series to create a new

The characters are just awesome. Peg and Cat especially. But the other main characters, despite known from what little traits, they're just as memorable.
-Ramone, smart as a whip and cool as a cucumber
-Pig, a happy-go-lucky but shy-voiced pig with a singing voice big enough for opera
-Richard, a little alien from the Purple Planet who gets pretty glum when things go wrong, but is also very willing to help save the day when it happens.
-100 Chickens (your guess is as good s mine as to what they are)
-The Teens, three teenagers who are on good terms with Peg and Cat, and are there to help out in any way they can. That is if they are a part of the story. Plus, they're not mean or unlikable in the slightest, a plus for me.
-Big Mouth – A furry blue space monster who indulges in eating things that are little and yellow. (Like a walking Pyramid category)
-Beethoven, who is...Beethoven, of course. (Yes, even Ludwig himself is a character in this series...with clear hearing for some reason [I find no problem with this].)
All these characters, despite seeming like the producers are just picking them out their asses on the surface, really do bring the show its own flavor (along with its writing) and makes it stand out among the other PBS Kids shows.
And there are A LOT of great standouts here.


What also makes this series stand out is its unconventional formula. Despite the recognizable traits in a typical episode--Peg & Cat singing the theme song (itself super catchy), Peg & Cat in some random place, a problem occurring, Peg totally freaking out, Cat calming her, them (almost) solving the problem, the problem not being solved yet, they and their episode-picked friends doing much more to solve it, and problem is solved (AND EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!!), there are some creative elements that take place within that episode. The characters joining along in "Problem Solved" (a song that is catchy is heck even if I've heard it 100 or so times) and every song that is a part of each episode will be stuck in your hear as soon as you hear it.

Plus (heh heh), the characters are written and created really well. Peg is a bright-eyed girl with a big imagination and a bigger heart. Her charm and sweet wit grabs your attention and you just love her from second one. Cat is goofy but hilariously witty and his snark is balls-out funny. Their chemistry is as strong as Arnold Schwarzenegger and their friendship is a reason this show is awesome and a reason I watch with grin from ear to ear. Their voice actors, Hayley Faith Negrin and Dwayne Hill, bring so many layers of fun, humor, wit and timing to this show and (partially, but primarily) because of them and their characters, I am a fan of Peg + Cat for life. And you should be too.

Episodes are available on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, YT and the PBS Kids video app.

I know it's a kids show. ...But I. don't. care. I darn well love this series, and if you give it a try (whether with your kids or by yourself), I think you'll love it too.

Thanks for checking in, and I'll see you guys later.

"The Loud House" Features Married Male Gay Couple. I Damn Well Approve


Hey, Everybody.
Andrew here taking time off not posting and doing anything else (sorry for that) to publish an emergency post
in response to a growing epidemic in Western Animation:
open homosexuality in children's television.

It's been around for the past few years and has only strengthened ever since. We've seen in a lot here:
-the well-known and less-subtexty-as-time-went-on relationship of
Sheriff Blurbs and Deputy Durland on Gravity Falls,


-Korra and Asami becoming Korrasami on the final episode of The Legend of Korra


-Jeff revealed to have two moms on Clarence


-the couple seen in the background on We Bare Bears

-the lesbian couple in Finding Dory


-every gem character (fusion or no) on Steven Universe


-(other examples I didn't mention here)

-plus a rare example on live-action kid's TV, courtesy of Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie--in which the titular character has a playdate with her friend of the week, with her parents being a little unconventional)



-and of course, a personal favorite I've discussed before,
the handsomely-dressed male gay couple from Clarence.


So now, today, we have another example finally coming out (;-)) in the open--and since you read the header, I'll get straight to it--another male gay couple brought to us by Nickelodeon's The Loud House.


This couple, Harold McBride and Howard McBride, are the parents of main character (and best friend of MAIN main character Lincoln Loud) Clyde. And what makes this even more awesome is that the two in an interracial relationship. And...they're married. That's right; the McBride men are together hand-to-hold, sickness-and-health, death-do-they-part, ball-and-chain married. And it's a glorious thing.

When Lincoln said "History in the making", he really meant it. In a way different from expected.

Here are my thoughts. Quite a doozy here:
Throughout the series' infancy, I usually thought (subconsciously) that Clyde's parents were a black man and woman, meaning a mom and a dad. So this was a legit shock (as shown in the video above, and by extension, the article from Entertainment Weekly's website) for me to see two guys (and one of them even NOT black) in front of the Loud House door. Now, I'm not being racist or homophobic or anything (I really am not), but that's what I thought.
(I previously also have some similar thoughts about Lincoln's eldest sister Lori's boyfriend Bobby being white, only to learn later on that he's Latino). This show is really good at destroying subconscious expectations upon first contact, while at the same time, making a great multiracial community of characters that make me love this show twofold.

Now for the situation involving Mr. and Mr. McBride, this came out of nowhere to me. It would seem like Loud House is taking advantage of the newfound acceptance of gay characters on kids cartoons of the decade, but it's not. (Either way though, in that front, I'm really cool with that.) Yeah, it seems so forceful and jammed into your brain until you hemorrhage, but I'm enjoying what I see here. It's all part of the progression. (Believe or not, the general progression of kids cartoons has happened for the past couple decades. Gross-out humor, saying "pissed" casually, double entendres, open violence, characters undergarments being shown freely, suggestive humor and moments, and lots more have been found more increasingly in cartoons across North America and Europe for many decades (especially since the 80s), and most have found under the radar until the mid-90s. So it's no surprise that The Loud House is joining in with everyone else.) The scene also feels organic yet surprising. While this is their first appearance (and feels like we're meeting a new main character to hang with for a long while before he'll disappear forever), it feels like we've known them before (and shamed for not doing so). There's no big hip-hip-hooray, break-out-the-streamers-and-poppers, J. Fred Muggs-welcome-like thing. Just a simple scene progression to make the episode continue to what's important--Clyde sleeping over at Lincoln Log's, only for Lincoln to get screwed over and learn something meaningful yet again. Just something that just happened in part of the episode. And like everyone and everything else, I'm cool with it all, as long as it's tasteful and funny. And this here was very tasteful and funny.

Which leads me to Harold and Howard themselves. I like them a lot, and they've only appeared in under a minute in that clip alone. They're not too gay, which gives us all a sigh of relief from the jump. They're also funny, charming, classy and very loving and caring of their son Clyde (which, in another funny thought, gives me this--Clyde McBride. Clever, rhyming and funny). And in the case if White Mr. McBride, a bit too caring. And their voice actors Wayne Brady and Michael McDonald (you figure out which H. McBride they voice) add the humor, timing and charm to them and the scene. And it works amazingly. (Fun factoid, Brady also gave his talents to another gay character: Barney Stinson's black (don't ask, just read along) brother from-the-same-mother James on How I Met Your Mother. So this adds a bit of familiarity to this new role. Plus, the line about "letting go" was hilarious.

While not all-the-way groundbreaking, it's groundbreaking in that the couple in question here are a married couple, which has to be a HUGE deal, and all the more palpable and worth watching.
All of this makes Mr. Harold McBride and Mr. Howard McBride side characters I'll love to watch on The Loud House from here on out.

Their first episode, "Overnight Success" (heh) airs this Wednesday at 5pm on Nick. Please check that out, and by extension, The Loud House itself. It's worth watching, especially if you're in a large family.

Cheers to creator Chris Savino and the crew, along with with Nickelodeon for making this bold leap to pay off in positive responses and praise, and to the viewers and fans with a heart and open mind for accepting this development with open arms and love.

That's it for now. I'm Andrew. Good day!

Monday, July 11, 2016

My Weak Gamer-Boy Thoughts on Pokemon GO

Hey, everybody.
I'm Drew and I'm here to lighten the load after last week. Now...

Pokemon GO! The big phenomenon sweeping the country from the gaming world.

Before I get to the game, a quick history about the Pokemon franchise in my eyes. It all started in 1998 when the anime series debuted and soon become a worldwide sensation (you know, during the anime boom of the 1990s anyways), spawning the card game, the movies (and there are many), the toys, the video games and many other examples to make Pokemon one of the biggest, strongest and most everlasting franchises of any medium in any medium in history. And I myself have a bit of a history with it. The Movie was the first movie I (along with my dad and siblings) got to see in theaters when it was released in 1999, and my family played a few games on the Nintendo handhelds when we were growing up. Then in the late-2000s...it sorta faded to the obsure. It hasn't been as memorable (at least in my case) and wasn't a thing everyone played with or to for a long while.

Until now. When Pokemon GO came around, it already became huge. And that's just in the US and Canada alone. After its release on the App Store and Google Play, it already became a top selling free app and went on to rival TWITTER. That's impressive. Everyone was talking about it, and I mean EVERYONE. I couldn't go a minute on my FB news feed without a single mention of this app; whether it be news, gameplay, jokes or memes-it was inescapable. And I felt like I wanted to rip my hair out go off the grid forever [or at least until the popularity dies down. ...so forever]. That is until after the horrible events of last week when two black men were shot to death by two white police officers in two different states, triggering national outrage. My blood boiled and my heart ached from hearing this news. And because of that, I needed something happy to offset this terrible chapter of racial tension and divide in this nation. And I found some in this app.

After my friend talked about it and even told me that it's fine to not care about it (in a seemingly sad tone), I finally decided to give it a try. And I couldn't be happier to have done so.

So what are my thoughts are on the game? Well...it's AWESOME! But before it's release, I almost didn't think so. Hell, I never even knew it existed until a good friend of mine told me about it on Facebook after it's opening bow. I didn't care about the app and even had the decency of telling everyone about it. And now I can't go a day without telling everyone about the Pokemon I've found and what quirky nicknames I've given them.
Here are the cute creatures I've been catching so far and the names I've given them. One of them is just brilliant.


Oh right, how to play.
It's pretty simple. If you've watched thr original anime series, you know the gist. You (as the player/Pokemon Master-in-training) must catch Pokemon to train and fight with against other's players. The twist is with a kickass feature, you can see the Pokemon in real time in our real world. You can see random creatures pop up in random places. And when you catch them, you then can go to Poke-gyms to train them; these gyms are in random places near where you live. There are also random markers across your town to give you extra stuff, like more Pokeballs or a Poke(?)egg to hatch into a baby Pokemon. And the cool part is that you can do all this whenever you want for free.

But what isn't cool is this: when playing the game outdoors, you might get a little engrossed with the app. So much so, that you could bump into things, like a wall, a pole, a fire hydrant, other people or even a car. Yep, people are so addicted to Pokemon GO that they won't mind their ways of public safety. Also, because of the HUGE popularity of the game, some people will take advantage of it to find random people and rob them blind.
So please, be careful out there. Be aware of your surroundings and watch out for dangers to avade while playing. That's a sad testament to the huge popularity of this app.
A good testament, on the other hand, is how it brings people together. Since its release, millions upon millions have downloaded the game and have since played it for hours upon hours of the day, (again) putting on par with TWITTER for the most user-generated free app on the app stores. AMAZING. And I'm happy to say that I'm a part of it.

So, all-in-all, this is one kickass app filled with fun, excitement and amazing gameplay, and I highly recommend it.
Please, play it--but be very vigilant while doing so.

Don't act like this...
...or this...

...while being like this.


Thanks to checking in, everyone. I'm Drew and I'll catch you guys later (well, not like that). I need to get more Pokeballs for more Pokemon. Eugene, Rick, Bernie and DJ RazzyTeff seem to be feeling a little lonesome.

Serious Post: I'm So Sick and Tired of This (#AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile #DallasShooting #BlackLivesMatter)

I can't stand it.

It's this time in our country's history where one too many black men are harshly and unfairly treated and then killed by the people that are hired and paid to protect them and everyone. Everywhere I go, I always hear of a black man (and not just any man) being shot and killed by a white police officer (and not just any police officer).

The latest to lose their lives to unjust excuses of public defenders are Alton Sterling (of Baton Rouge, LA) and Philando Castile (of Falcon Heights, MN). Because of their killings, the number of black people unjustifiably killed by white police officers has risen to 136. That's more blacks killed than there are days in a year. It's shocking, disgusting and even confusing.

Alton Sterling was selling bootleg CDs at the parking lot of a local convenience store. Sure, bootlegs are illegal to some, but he didn't do anything wrong there; just what he wanted and need to do. Then someone called 911 and reported it.
Police arrive and, as shown at the start of a video taken by a costumer in the lot, quickly threw Sterling to the ground. One officer then drew his gun and shot the man four times, while the other officer still held him down forcefully.
Here is video of the traumatic and tragic incident (IT IS GRAPHIC).

What hurts me at first is that the officers didn't hesitate to read him his rights, or even let his raise his hands. They just took him down, because they already believe that he's armed. Yes, he is armed; but read this: the officers didn't know or prove Alton was armed until after they took his life. One of the officers took his weapon out of his pocket after the blasts. Also, even if he does carry a weapon, what's the problem?? In the state of Louisiana, a citizen is permitted to carry a weapon without a permit. He was within his legal right, and yet the police still killed him.
And the worst of the significant reasons is this: Alton Sterling is the father of five children. Five children who will no longer, forevermore, have their dad in their lives. And will now live in contempt, loathing and fear of the group of people who were PAID to protect them.
I can't wrap my head around this. I lost my father years ago, but that was from a natural illness, and I said "I love you" to him. This kids will never spend a day saying the same phrase to their now-slain father because he was taken away from them. And the fact that his eldest son cried his eyes out mourning his dad's passing during the press conference drives it all home.

--

The latest (and sadly possibly not the last) death-by-police victim is Philando Castile.
He and his girlfriend Diamond "Lavish" Reynolds were driving to a location in Falcon Heights, MN, when they were stopped by police during a traffic stop for a broken taillight.
What happened next was unspeakable. His girlfriend recorded a video stream on Facebook Live revealing that Castile was shot four times by the officer Jeronimo Yanez (who was actually Hispanic, in case you're wondering). He died at the scene.

There's so much here that grabbed my attention.
First off: There was a little girl in the backseat. That little girl is Philando's daughter. She is no older than 6. And she doesn't understand what's happening. My heart aches for her; now that her father is now gone.
-Reynolds' reaction and behavior throughout all of this situation was calm and quite nuanced. She revealed everything during the Facebook Live broadcast while keeping her composure and exposed the cop for the scum that he is. If I were there, I would lose it while recording.
-In the exchange, the cop clearly was the opposite. He was manic, unethical and clearly tried to justify his actions, but knew his intentions were god-awful and unfounded.
It's here that the officer did wrong, but didn't know he would get himself into a live stream on Facebook.
Admittedly, when I learned Yanez was Hispanic, I was shocked. I didn't see his face in the video, and I wouldn't make out a dialect if I tried (or think of trying), so this was a different turn-out than I thought. But the end is still the same.

The police are abusing their power to protect the innocent and take down the guilty. Every time a police officer crosses paths with a black person (man, woman, even child), it almost never ends well.

Of course there is a pattern here; a pattern where a black person dies a "criminal" and the white police officer is a "hero".
-Black person caught doing something
-White police officers respond
-It goes very bad, very fast
-The black person is treated horribly
-White officer abuses power
-Black person almost immediately shot and/or thrown to the ground
-Black person also possibly taken into custody; most likely then killed in custody
-Victim falsely (or-if true-foolishly) claimed as a victim to alleviate the shooting situation
-White officer calls it a job well done and is celebrated
--It continues on as an endless cycle

Some say that they were just doing their jobs. I need to ask you this: Is taking down someone without giving them a chance to speak their defense or peace "just doing their jobs"? Is drawing their guns at the wrong time, if not at all, "just doing their jobs"? Is racially profiling black people (and maybe other people of color too) for no other reason than because they're black "just doing their jobs"? Maybe you'd answer that if you take a deep breath and think about what you want to say next.
And back to the "he was a criminal, so he must be shot" argument. I bet you know what crimes these black men have committed to deserve looking like a second-class citizen and be treated like one, right?? Of course you don't. Even if a black man committed a crime (like it was revealed that Sterling really did commit a few crimes in the past), your argument still simply boils down to "Hey, he's black so he has to be a criminal. And if he's a criminal, he deserves to be shot and/or killed". It's terrible, poorly-created and very clichéd.

There's a reason Jesse Williams gave that powerful, brilliant and very deep speech at the BET Awards. He wanted our people to stop living the disgusting misfortunes and consequences of racial profiling, wrongful arrest and inhuman treatment of all other people (and not just police). He knew that what he said would and should be spoken to give this nation the wake up call it needs to stop the bullshit and become a more racially blended and emotionally and mentally sound nation. And yet, racist and/or ignorant idiots refused to listen to Williams and tried to take him down. They failed, and Williams' words have still resonated deep and hard many days later. And after these two injustices/abuses of power, it needs to resonate harder to separate the powerful from the truly weak, the smart from the stupid, the bridge menders from the bridge burners.

There are always people who don't AND won't get the message and still sand behind their ugly words.
Like Fox News' resident coon Stacey Dash, whom called Williams a "Hollywood plantation slave".
(He may be a "slave" to you, but at least he knows to stand up to horrible and unintelligent, speaking the real truth that people like you (or people you pretend to be like), you near-brain-dead hypocrite-ass coon. This is why all of the African American race disowned you for a reason)

Also, there's The Blaze's pretty blonde dimwit Tomi Lahren, who made a retarded rant about the shooting, turning the story to herself and what her ancestors did to free our ancestors or some shit.
And if that wasn't enough, she also released this tweet that makes me wanna uppercut her to Venus.
"Meet the new KKK, they call themselves "Black Lives Matter", but make no mistake, their goals are far from equality. #Dallas #bluelivesmatter"
(I'm sorry. When you mean by "#BlueLivesMatter", who are you referring to? The Smurfs?? [I'm sure they can handle themselves against Gargamel any day] Skeeter Valentine?? Lapis Lazuli?? Blue?? Bloo?? Whom?! Keep them out of this!)
Of course, she means the police officers, in reference to the officers who lost their lives in the tragedy. But even they wouldn't want to be reffed here.
(Listen. You need to shut up. Forever. Being the protégé of that dumbass loudmouth Glenn Beck somehow isn't enough is show how much the word fool is illuminated across your pretty little head. It's not that you don't know what you're taking about, but that you know what you're saying will only go over with the old and wildly unwilling to understand. Do us all a favor and please speak in public when you have something smart and constructed to say [which is probably never].)

--

Another thing that strikes me is this: Many pro-gun supporters are always speaking up to protect gun use and ownership against people who want tighter gun control to protect innocent bystanders. This is after when a mass shooting happens. Yet when they learn that the black person was taken down had a weapon and a permit, they immediately keep quiet.
I'll just let this comment I wrote on Facebook speak for itself:
"It's very clear that bias at the NRA is at work. [And] it's sad that not only did a white dude get away with killing nine black people, he also got a fucking meal as a treat.
I can't get more furious from here."
(That last part is in reference to the Dylan Roof shooting)

And speaking of Dylan Roof, there are true criminals out there who are white. They deserve as much as the Blacks who didn't commit major crimes, and yet because of their color of their skin, they essentially walk away technically unscathed.
-One of them, Brock Turner, sexually assaulted (fingering) and almost full-blown raped a woman behind a dumpster near a campus party at Sanford while unconscious. He got six months in county jail (not prison, county jail), and half should he leave on good behavior.
-Another, Roof, shot nine African Americans in a local church in Charleston, North Carolina. All the victims did was welcome him with open arms, and he returned the favor by taking their lives. Not only did police not treat him like the shit he is, they also gave him a meal at fucking Burger King (I AM SERIOUSLY NOT MAKING THIS UP). A picture of him brandishing a Confederate flag is enough to make him despicable.
-George Zimmerman. Enough said.
-And all of the police officers who got away with murder with the deaths of innocent people via the constant abuse of power, horrible judgment of character and distressingly deplorable level of violence throughout. It's disgusting.

So whoever say that those killings and that "All Lives Matter", you all need to shut the fuck up. You not only don't know what you're talking about, you also don't care about what you're failing to talk about. Saying "All Lives Matter" is just a way of saying "I don't care about this national issue or enough to lay my arms to show care, solemn or support for this race of people looking for true equality in this country. But I care about bolstering my image to mention this get me in the news or social media feed."

And of course, some of them are eager to paint these men as criminals.
NEWS FLASH:
Martha Stewart was a criminal.
Robert Downey Jr. was a criminal.
Charlie Sheen was a criminal.
Lindsay Lohan was a criminal.
Justin Bieber was a criminal.
Phil Spector was a criminal.
George Zimmerman was a criminal. (and you know this)
Hell, even Charles fucking Manson was a criminal.
But you won't shoot any of them for just being at a convenience store and carrying a licensed weapon. But you wouldn't want to start stroking like Bob Ross, right?

The reason for all this rambling of mine is this: I wanted to get in my thoughts and sleep tonight. Because I'm sick and tired of seeing and hearing about something that's sadly becoming more and more commonplace in this country. Since when should "shooting black men" become as American as Apple Pie and Baseball?? And since when should instances of such come closer to each other than pregnancy contractions?? There's nothing black men have done to deserve this. And yet, here we are.

And yet, it seems to get even worse--from the other side, because as of the release date of this post, 12 police officers were shot in Dallas. Five of them were killed. The shooter was killed by police hours later via a bomb robot after a long standoff filled with taunting, singing and creepiness.

Let me please say this; those police officers did not deserve to die. They only did their jobs (and I really mean this) and did indeed protect the people protesting the deaths of the black men we've lost. These guys (assumed-ly) served their city well and some of them have families as well. And the killer's plan to take them out (because he's furious at white people--and especially white police officers--for killing black men) was disgustingly horrifying. What he did is the epitome of what is wrong with Black Lives Matter. Black people not peacefully protesting, instead ravaging an entire city, stealing things from businesses and destroying police vehicles, stores and buildings like an 8-year-old kid throwing a temper tantrum because he's not getting a trip to Chuck E. Cheese's. It's disgusting and pathetic. And this man took it further by killing cops because he's tired of white people (from different states) killing black men (who are not related to him). If you want racial equality in this country...don't do that. It makes you look just as racist as the cops you're furious at. And it not only doesn't solve a damn thing, it erases every good thing we've tried to come closer to racial equality.
My condolences to the families of the 5 deceased officers and the victims who survived the tragedy.

So in recap, I'm sick and tired of Black men getting shot and killed by police for little to no reason, and getting away with it to faint praise from ignorant idiots. And I'm sick and tired of police getting hurt or even killed by black people just because one of their own (who isn't even related to them) is killed by a police officer (IN ANOTHER STATE).
You cannot have it both ways--and that's because you're not supposed to have it either way. It divides racial equality in this country even more and makes us look like savage laughingstock to other countries on Earth. And that is the opposite of what is supposed to happen in the name of Black Lives Matter.


I want to end this post with this:
I want you to please do something, when you're done reading this...please hug you family. Hug your family long and tight, and tell them you love them. If you're away from your family, call them or message them or tweet them, and tell them you love them. No matter what situation you're in with them, at least know that they're there for you and need to show it back.

This nation is going through so much crap from this week. And I cannot deal with it any longer.

Wednesday, June 01, 2016

America's Got Ta11ent Review: Auditions | Week 1--The Mitch is Back

Ladies and gentlemen...it's happened. It's really happened.
The man who made the American talent competition show a phenomenon has returned to one.
His judging style is straight up bite with a metric ton of snark, cruelty and criticism so constructive it feels less like your learning from your mistakes and more like he just dissed you in a good way just to get you off the stage.. So of course he's beloved for that, and I wouldn't say otherwise in any other way. Basically, any talent show he's on makes him the star. And the promotion department of the network airing the show will prove it.

After admitting that America wouldn't like or accept The X Factor on their collective screens (especially after the Rachel Crow incident in the first season), Simon Cowell has made his return to a talent competition show and it's judging panel, becoming the latest judge in a revolving door of personalities, joining Melanie Brown (aka Mel B), Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel, still making the panel the most ironically not-domestic judging panel of all the format's shows.
(It's really hilarious when Nick Cannon's own Wild N Out has more Americans in its cast than this show does.)

But anyway, it's time for this self-admitted finicky asshole to stop talking dick about the stuff behind-the-scenes, and get to what matters: this self-admitted finicky asshole to talk dick about the stuff in front of the cameras. That's right, folks...I'm baa-aaack!!

This is my Review of Season 11 of America's Got Talent!

I'm gonna skip several more words and get to the chase: This was the best season opener I've ever watched. No joke; no trick. I loved everything about what I saw.. All the acts I've seen were spectacular in their own ways. Their talents in their fields were something else. My jaw dropped from almost every one I've seen, and I've more or less enjoyed it. Almost every feeling that can be emitted from your mind and body came from me during these two hours than anything else this year or last.

First up, Nathan Bockstahler from Carlsbad, CA. His dream is to become a comedian as an adult. He sure has big dreams for a 6-year-old.

This little guy was supremely adorable, and really funny for a toddler. He nailed his bit, and he wasn't nervous one...bit. (heh heh) His confidence on stage is quite impressive. His wish from winning the prize money is also adorable; he wants a million LEGOs. I'd give him some LEGOs right now just for being this cool! I swear this kid is gonna go far in his life. If not from this show, he's gonna be the most sweet and charming little player the South has ever seen soon after.
He's not going to go to the finals of course; It's rare for a child his age range to actually make it there. But if he is the first, I'll be shocked as hell.
But he's funny and charming, so we'll see.

--

Next is 58-year-old Jose Fuentes and his dog Carrie. Their act is dancing together. and doggone it, it was just adorable!

Okay, I agreed with Heidi when she buzzed them. Although I enjoyed their act here, I also didn't think they would last long in the competition. After a few times, it stale fast. And if they don't strengthen soon, it's the Dog Pound for them. Dog Pound meaning Elimination, of course.

--

On the other hand, these guys already won the competition so far. They blew my mind, the judges' minds, the Audience's minds and your minds. And their act is all about reading minds. They are clairvoyants Thommy and Amelie.

Everything about this is...spellbinding.
Amelie was the star of the show. She not only knew what items Heidi's lipstick, an audience member's iPhone (AT&T!!) and Howie's eye drops had in their hands, but what numbers/info were printed on them. My jaw dropped to the floor. I was speechless. And she was on her swing without a care in the world having the time of her life. Thommy was a great partner, and their work together is as amazing as the act itself.

These clairvoyants really knocked their audition out of the park and I know they are gonna kill the competition. Forget the Judge Cuts, or even the Live Shows. These two are going to make it to the finals. Mark my words.

--

Linkin Bridge. Wow.
Four burly, tough guys from Kentucky really exceeded my expectations.

First, I already knew that they were going to sing; there's no chance they'd appear on this show and perform something other than singing. But it was what they did sing a Capella that caught me by major surprise. It was one of the icons of original songs in cinema, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz.

I mean WOW. Such amazing voices. The harmonies together are Smooth. As. Silk.
Simon made a good point where -- was a little flat at the start of the song, but picked up well with his fellas when they performed together.
I would never think they'd perform this iconic song (then again I wouldn't know what they'd sing at all), but I'm glad they did because they were stupendous.

I know I'll see them again in the Judge Cuts killing it again. And I'll be jammin' along.

--

Speaking of spellbinding and stupendous, Hiroki Hara.
He is one of those acts who perfectly mix magic or physical movements and animation projected into large screens, like Kenichi Ebina and SIRO-A. Unlike them, he's more magic. But just like them, he was awesome!

His act was just mind-blowing. He mixed the graphics of pigeons and real physical magic with a real pigeon so effortlessly, it's like he knew the laws of physics just to bend it a little for the performance. The graphics were top-notch, the magic wad magnificent and the combination just leaves you speechless and a little breathless.
This guy is from a small village in Japan. And he'll definitely go from that to big places ahead. He's going to the Live Shows too. I just know it.
--
Tape. Face. Boy. Holy. Shit.

Of course we all know nothing about him. His name, where he's from, what he does for a living. (If he has a family...) But from the moment he appeared on screen, and even more on stage, I feel in love with him.

His act is super practical, so much so that anyone can do it. But the way he does it is nothing short of comedy genius. First after a while of standing there--weird-ing everyone out with his presence, he got to work with his bag of gags and left everyone in stitches. From miming "Endless Love" with oven mitts to a fake make-out session with himself partially covered by a robe, this dude left me (and everyone else) clamoring for more.

Tape Face Boy is going to be the Piff the Magic Dragon of Season 11; one of the most memorable acts this season and almost definitely any season.
He will reach the Live Shows--if not finals, I'm sure.

--

And finally, a girl who said she was nervous before she performed, but I call bluff. She's just 13 years old, but has the pipes of opera royalty.
She is Laura Bretan.

And she is also the first Golden Buzzer winner of the season (thank you, Mel B!). And she deserves it. Her talent and voice are second to none; a prodigy, if you will. She hit all the right notes perfectly well. And when she reached the highest note, I was ready to faint. There is no way she was nervous and then gave a performance possibly worth of Carnegie Hall. I couldn't believe and yet she did it with style, grace and lots of adorable-ness.

Worthy of the Live Shows she is. Laura, you were fantastic and you deserve the Gold..en Buzzer that is.

--

And now, thoughts on other acts that appeared in the first week of Auditions. They suck, but still left a big impression...that they suck nicely.

The Spice Gurlz - Wow. hey look so familiar.

Also, their stage presence was entertaining; but I'm sure an appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race will e a much better experience for them.
-
Charlie and Rose - Yeah they went through, but their act is still not that great. Heidi was right in that they aren't. I still enjoyed it for the lolz though.
-

Hook - Yes, he was better than the rest of the lot, but his act is something I really wouldn't want to see more than once. Seeing a hook through his nose, and out of his mouth? *gag reflex activated* And yet, somehow, I really couldn't get enough of it.
-
Mr. Splat - This loon seriously believed that his act of jumping into a pool filled with shaving cream (?) and rubber balls (?) will help him go all the way. (LOOO-SERRR.)

At least his swan dive was good. I had a better time watching Heidi and Nick jumping in and smothering the other judges with the white cream. Good fun, there.

--

And now a little chat about newest judge Simon Cowell.
He was great. It's like he never left (well, yeah, of course he never left; he still has Britain's Got Talent and The X Factor in the UK). But still, he was a great judge and fits really nicely with the returning panel. Even if the returning panel isn't so nice with him at times. I know he's "the mean judge" but you weren't on stage.
Okay, maybe he does deserve some of it.

But I think he did awesome. His critiques are still on point, his honesty is still in the right place, he legitimately like/enjoyed a lot more acts than I thought, he does his job well and he's still beloved for it.
I don't know why he was negatively received before for his appointment as judge. Was it because he's a dick before? And he'll be a dick to children? He was a dick on American Idol so he'll be the same here, like it or not. And he's the most qualified and memorable on the panel anyway; he knows what he's doing and does it effortlessly.

--

And with that, ends the first episode of what would be a very entertaining season. I loved every second of it. All the acts were fantastic in their own ways, the judges were great and fair in their critiques and reactions, and Nick was great as host/hype-man/occasional prop for acts. I really thought this was the best season premiere ever! But can you blame me?

Well, that's for checking in, everyone!
I'm Drew, and I'll see you next week for Week 2 of Season 11 Auditions on America's Got Talent.