Jan 2nd thoughts

Thanks to all of you for your New Years best wishes. Let’s hope 007 is a James Bond worthy year for all of us.

Didn’t it seem like James Brown’s funeral got more play than former President Gerald Ford’s? Interestingly, the same was true when President Ronald Reagan and Ray Charles died the same week.

I love how James Brown was in two different suits for his two memorial services. The man had class even after the end. Although I did half expect him to pop out of the coffin. The Famous Flames would settle him down, drape the robe over his shoulders, he’d sing out “Please, Please!,” the crowd would go wild. OWWW! That would have been great.

I saw James Brown perform at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in 1967. There was me and maybe ten other white kids. But damn it was worth it. The man was UNBELIEVABLE.

For a great concert performance of James Brown, get the TAMI Show DVD. That was a closed circuit concert taped in 1965 that also featured, among others, Chuck Berry, and a very young Mick Jagger. And neither comes CLOSE to the Godfather of Soul. Very little of Gerald Ford’s concert material still exists.

For great recollections of James Brown, check out Lloyd Thaxton’s blog. Lloyd was a local TV dance show host who was one of the first to book Brown on his show. I remember those shows. All the clean cut white kids in their suits and dresses were terrified. I think at one point James yelled “POPCORN!” and three guys wet themselves.

Now that he’s gone, does that officially make Ryan Seacrest the “Hardest Working Man in Show Business”?

Who looked worse on those New Year’s Eve Ball Dropping shows Sunday night – Dick Clark or Carson Daly? Is Carson Daly anorexic? I haven’t seen his show in a long time. (My policy: if I’m not in a rewrite I don’t have to be up that late.) But I was shocked. I think Calista Flockhart would be shocked. Or is it just, that’s what happens to you when you go to NBC?

I have to honestly say, I applaud Dick Clark’s courage but it was too painful to watch him.

On NBC’s Sunday Night Football telecast, Brett Favre was asked by sideline reporter (I believe it was Andrea Kremer) if he was coming back next year. Favre literally broke down and cried. Her next question was “Can you tell us your emotions?” GUESS!!

It was another glorious sunny day for the Rose Parade this year. I imagine half the population of Denver has now decided to move out here. And when they dig out of this blizzard in May they’ll pack up and come.

As for the parade itself, I found it amusing that they followed their big theme production number celebrating the “Nature of Man” with a stealth bomber fly-over.

And just how classless was Bob Eubanks? Bad enough they fire Stephanie Edwards, but fifteen minutes into the broadcast, while discussing some old horses that will be replaced next year he says “yeah, and that’s what happens to old commentators.” Nice. That’s what happens to old game show hosts, too, Bob.

I hope the Ohio State marching band plays their official state rock song during halftime of the championship bowl game next week. The official Ohio rock song is "Hang on Sloopy". My compliments to the 116th Ohio General Assembly for its taste.

My New Year’s Resolution: Get mentioned in Defamer.com more.

NOTE TO HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS: I am adopting a writer friend’s policy. I will vote for ANY movie that sends me a screener DVD. Oh wait, they sent me WORLD TRADE CENTER. Never mind.