Thursday, February 12, 2009

Three packs, Detroit Red, Redd Foxx, and random stuff

As I continue to waste way too much time on Twitter (for work, school and personal reasons) and Facebook, I'm still torn on blog consolidation. That said, I figured I'd try to get myself back into a blogging routine (outside of what I do for work). That said, here's random thoughts for today.

Today's Lesson:

If you didn't watch "Make 'Em Laugh" on PBS a couple weeks ago, do yourself a favor and try to find reruns. It was a 6-part series hosted by Billy Crystal and narrated by Amy Sedaris. The show covered different aspects of comedy throughout American history. Overall, it was an amazing series. I was also amazed when I realized how much my own comedy stylings were influenced by the likes of Abbott and Costello, Paul Lynde, and W.C. Fields. Oh, that's right, I don't have comedy stylings. No matter, I did watch a lot of the classics when I was younger and they probably shaped something in my life. Anyway, I was catching up on part 5, "Never Give a Sucker an Even Break: The Wiseguys" on TiVo last night and was cracking up on the segment about Redd Foxx. I learned that 1) his real last name was Sanford (as in "Sanford and Son"), and 2) he was called Chicago Red to distinguish himself from Detroit Red, a.k.a, Malcolm X, who was his friend! Who knew?? Amazing. I also never knew that "Sanford and Son" was based on a British comedy (though what American show isn't based on a British comedy?!). I wonder if the Brits will ever base a show on an American comedy. Probably not.

Anyway, it gets better. On the way into the office this morning, "My Favorite Mutiny" by The Coup comes up on the iPod. At the beginning, I notice the lyrics

"Out ya mouth, I'm not concerned/Cause y'all got the nerve/It's y'all turn like Detroit Red/When he said he had an ultra perm."

Say whaaaa??? If not for "Make 'Em Laugh" I wouldn't have known that they were giving a shoutout to Malcolm X! And now you know too.

Another lesson:


Washington City Paper reports that some liquor stores in DC are selling 3-packs in light of the recent ban on single beer sales!!! That pic looks like a 3-pack of tall boys. I like it!
My final thought for the day. I caught some of the TV interview with that lady who had all those kids in California and is now up to 14. I gotta say, she's an idiot. Then I read this article. Gets me even more fired up. I just hope the kids do OK.

1 comment:

NChoy said...

Great post Paul. I have been shirking my blogging responsibilities in lieu of keeping the work blog going.

Remember my post a while back about blogs being the new "digital houseplant"? Well, one of my ficus plants is withering... and I only have myself to blame.

Anyhoo... the crappy thing about that woman who now has 14 brats is that a goodly portion of both your and my taxes will go to help raise them and possibly put them through college. Now if THAT doesn't bake your muffin, I don't know what will!