Wmcmanus

That's Hal Smith, the voice of many cartoon characters for Hanna Barbera. He was perhaps best known as Otis the drunk on The Andy Griffith Show.

Feel bad now... I once called a pilot a "glorified bus driver" when he cut in front of me and a bunch of other people to get his precious Cinnabon at the Charlotte airport. Apparently he was running late, and felt that his uniform was license to do whatever the fuck he wanted to do. Pilot's View: Airbus A380 approach and landing at San Francisco. http://www.wimp.com/approachlanding/

It really was good writing though, and somewhat innovative in its time. One of the first long running sitcoms that spoke to social issues. Andy Griffith, All in the Family, I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, Abbott & Costello, Carol Burnett, etc., were all pure comedies. Well, arguably Andy Griffith attempted to do a little more, but it too rated well in both polls. Sort of a forerunner to Cheers, Taxi, Frasier, Friends, and even Seinfeld in some ways just in terms of the closeness of Mary's circle of friends.

Three Stooges missing from both lists. Not that there was a lot of brilliant writing... but still a landmark series in the history of television, even though just a series of disconnected "shorts".

I'm on the second season of Six Feet Under. Kind of odd in a number of ways, but obviously intentionally so, which then serves to limit the effectiveness of those oddities But I'm drawn to several characters and thus quite liking the show overall.

Jealous of Leon Russell's hair. Obviously not a bleacher.

It really does suck these days. That article made me want to puke.

You can't help but to get the sense that he knew how to treat a woman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRuOQ9HfNfc WIth Leon Russell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0q8tq4RF8E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtJrOz-urWA

Really sad news today. http://www.whereseric.com/eric-clapton-news/303-jj-cale-dead-heart-attack I've always been a huge fan, and I can't exactly explain why. I have all of his albums and have seen him several times live. He was everything he was and nothing more. He didn't have to play the usual games of the music industry because he was never in any rush to get anywhere. He was an authentic musician. No pretense whatsoever. Didn't seem to have anything to prove. First time I saw him was in a small venue at an old theatre in Kansas CIty in the winter of '96 when I lived in town. Couldn't believe it. Just opened the paper one day, and said, "Shit! I can't believe I've never seen him yet!" He was on that night so it was a quick decision and I was instantly pumped. He came out by himself for the first set dressed in jeans, didn't bother to introduce himself, just sat on a stool and started strummin' for quite a while, then eventually he started to sing (long, long intro). Everything free and easy. He was in no hurry. He did three or four easily recognizable tunes, but I noticed that I was pretty much the only one singing along. After a while he asked for requests, and I was in the second row yelling them out one after another. There couldn't have been 300 people in the house. So after think my third request or so he said something like, "Glad someone still listens to those old records." It was the most gentle, sort of self-depreciating and at the same time nonchalant, as if to say "I'm Ok with myself" kind of statement. Everyone chuckled and then he kind of chuckled to himself. Then he asked, "Anyone in the back? Something you wanna hear?" At that point he got a couple of other requests, and from that point forward started to tell stories about each song, when it was written, what it was about, and the audience began to "get him." After a quick break, he came back for another set with a drummer, a guy on bass, and another rhythm guy. That was about it. Not a whole lot splashier than him sitting there by himself, but they did Cocaine, After Midnight, Call Me The Breeze, Cajun Moon, etc., and things sort of picked up a bit, but it never got much past second gear. Wouldn't have been his style. RIP, JJ Cale. You were one of my first and truest music heros.

Exactly. Brutal reality of the world he lived in. Nobody is above the game.

Trying to avoid spoilers, but this post is really directed toward those who have seen the entire series... The pacing problems were part of the oddity of Season 2 relative to the rest of the series, but I sort of gave Season 2 a "passing grade" thinking that it would be better integrated in Seasons 3-5, but then it really wasn't. I felt that Beadie's character was much too thin and could have been used as a linking pin to better integrate 2 with 3-5; felt that they left a lot on the table in that regard. It's hard to "discuss" this here, given that many people on this thread have not seen the entire series. But had she been a more substantial character, she could have been of much use on the po-po side of things, which then could have made certain plot twists more palatable than the route the writers took vis a vis the pursuit of Marlo. That said, the way they took it allowed the homeless issues to be addressed, which was certainly credible given that's another aspect of the whole equation which had yet to be explored. Just thought overall that there was a big investment in the dock characters in Season 2 that never came back in a significant way to help move the story along.

This guy seems to like them. They even play loud! http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/first-listen-abyss-ab-1266-planar-magnetic-headphones/?utm_campaign=Hi-Fi%2B+Weekly+Emails&utm_medium=email&page=3&utm_source=email-139

Good question. Agree that it's hard to beat Waits on this, just for the sheer grit if nothing else. Thought The Blind Boys really hit it as well, and really liked the harmonica, but might just be because they were first. So I'd rate The Blind Boys and Waits as a virtual tie. Steve Earle's version is excellent as well, although perhaps a tad on the upbeat/happy side, so 3rd place. Then Neville Brothers 4th and DoMaJe 5th, but to be honest I thought they were all worthy and would have been happy with any of them for the whole series. Rotating them was yet another nice touch to this brilliant series. Will definitely watch it again one day once I'm several years removed from it.

Wow, what a shame. Although really, for the most part Season 2 is stand alone. Not entirely, but close enough.

Mad skillz!!! http://www.wimp.com/saloonpiano/

Just finished watching the series. Gripping. What can I say that hasn't been said? Wow. Agree that Season 2 was the weakest link, but still an amazing series overall.

Thanks, Tyll. Masterful as always. Will refrain and instead build more toys for everyone on the nice list.

Nice work, Mikey. Steve, that's a great find. WIth only 2000 miles and obviously garage kept, it looks brand new. Make sure to have it serviced carefully, checking for anything dry rotted, including the tires. The bug screen will come in handy at times, but not just for bugs. It can be a real vision saver if you ever get caught in a heavy rain and want to keep moving until you can find shelter. You can ride off the back seat like it's a street bike by leaning forward and ducking your head down under the bug screen, with your feet resting on the passenger pedals. Try it on the driveway sometime just to see if you can find a riding position that will help you in an emergency. Pulling off to the side of the road and waiting it out without any shelter is not much fun.

I'm sure you'll do much better, Steve! The funniest part is at the end. http://biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=41302

Just finished Friday Night Lights (series). Really got into it, and for more than just the football. Recommended. Now on to either The Wire or Six Feet Under. Haven't decided which will be first.