There is one positive aspect about the founding of the United States which is beyond reproach. Cinematic productions of award-winning Broadway musicals about the era are among the best transformations of content from stage to screen. Such was the case with Peter Hunt’s 1972 production of 1776 and Disney’s presentation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. What … Read more
[NOTE: In hopes of stemming a flood of comments from Trumpsters and Russian bots, the following is not FAKE NEWS. It is what we call parody intentionally designed at the outset to be humorous. Please do not confuse it with Trump apologists’ attempts to disguise Donald Trump’s ignorant and offensive remarks as “jokes,” after … Read more
Recognize the name Scott Thompson? Probably not. Maybe you know him by his stage name, “Carrot Top.” For the past 13 years, with the exception of an occasional tour, Thompson has been the comedian-in-residence at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. His schtick consists largely of dated celebrity jokes during which he exaggerates his … Read more
Language evolves. It adapts to changes in culture. When I first arrived in Charlottesville in the fall of 1967, students at the University of Virginia would sing “The Good Old Song,” following each home team score during a Saturday afternoon of football at Scott Stadium. The lyrics included, “We come from old Virginia, where … Read more
It is amazing what you can hear when there is no background noise. The on-field chatter during a live German soccer match in an empty stadium provides a different experience when not masked by the constant chant of “Ole, ole!” Or how we hang on every word when conversations with friends and family are one-on-one … Read more